DustDevilDiver (Briley Mitchell)
Migrating Monarchs
It's fall, and millions of monarch butterflies are migrating to warmer climates for the winter—heading either to the Californian coast or to certain mountains in Mexico. Why do the butterflies need to migrate?
Monarch butterflies know fall is here the same way that we do; they feel the chill in the air. While we adapt by putting on a sweater, the situation is much more serious for the monarchs. Temperatures below 55°F make it impossible for them to fly; temperatures below 40°F paralyze them. The monarchs originated in the tropics and can't live for long at temperatures below freezing.
At the same time that the air is cooling, the nectar supply that feeds the butterflies is dwindling. To survive, the insects begin migrating in late summer, flying with the wind to reach their winter homes.
Migrating Monarchs
It's fall, and millions of monarch butterflies are migrating to warmer climates for the winter—heading either to the Californian coast or to certain mountains in Mexico. Why do the butterflies need to migrate?
Monarch butterflies know fall is here the same way that we do; they feel the chill in the air. While we adapt by putting on a sweater, the situation is much more serious for the monarchs. Temperatures below 55°F make it impossible for them to fly; temperatures below 40°F paralyze them. The monarchs originated in the tropics and can't live for long at temperatures below freezing.
At the same time that the air is cooling, the nectar supply that feeds the butterflies is dwindling. To survive, the insects begin migrating in late summer, flying with the wind to reach their winter homes.