What’s So Special About a Monarch Butterfly?
When the meadow turns purple and yellow, I know more brightness is on its way. The monarch butterfly will soon grace the landscapes with its bold orange and black coloring. It is one of my favorite times of the year, when the cool air signals the changing of a season, and we get to watch (and maybe even participate in) the monarch butterfly’s fascinating migration journey.
I get the question all the time, “Why do we hear so much about the monarch butterfly? What is so special about it?” And I can see why they would ask that!
We live in a world with an amazing variety of butterflies, yet the monarch remains one of the most researched insects today. Scientists and citizens spend a lot of time and money on understanding this one species. As we learn about their beauty, their incredible migration and lifecycle, and their deep history and cultural significance, we may start to uncover the answer.
A ‘Super Generation’ of Amazing Aviators
In Kentucky, when we see a monarch butterfly this time of year, we’re not spotting the same monarchs that fluttered through in the spring. They may look identical—large, orange wings laced with black veins, drifting gracefully from flower to flower—but the butterflies we see in the fall belong to a remarkable group known as the “super generation.”
This generation, which appears every four cycles, carries unique traits that make an extraordinary southward migration possible. Though their wingspan measures just 4 inches and they weigh about as much as a paperclip (0.5 grams), specialized physical adaptations allow them to travel as far as 3,000 miles during their migration!
Unlike the three generations before them, which typically only live 2–4 weeks, these unique butterflies can survive up to 9 months, giving them the time they need to complete their epic journey.
Now Boarding: Southbound Flight to Mexico
Monarchs Wintering Roost Covering Tree
Shorter days signal to these butterflies that it’s time to head south, toward an overwintering ground neither they nor their parents or grandparents have ever seen. These are the great-great-grandchildren of the last super generation—four generations removed—yet they will return to the same forest, sometimes even the same tree, in the mountains of Mexico that their ancestors left the year before.
The butterflies, through instinct, will gather by the millions in specific mountain forests in central Mexico. Their roosts will cover stands of oyamel fir trees, packed in so tightly the branches can start to droop from the weight of a million little paperclips.
These forests are their “goldilocks zone.” The cool temperatures slow down their metabolism so that they can survive winter on their fat reserves. At the same time, the tree cover and their massive roosts keep them well insulated and protected from harsh winds and rain, preventing the fragile creatures from getting too cold.
When it warms up, they will continue south to start a new generation and the cycle begins again.
While millions of monarchs make their way south, not all of them will make it to see the overwintering grounds in Mexico. There are thousands of hazards when you are the size of a paperclip trying to fly 3,000 miles—and those dangers begin long before the migration itself.
Overcoming Nature’s Hurdles, Starting with Milkweed
Monarch Caterpillar and cut milkweed leaf showing sap (leaf photo: Save Our Monarchs)
The monarchs’ first challenge starts on day one of their life, before they have any wings at all. They hatch out of their egg as a caterpillar, and like most caterpillars, they need to eat. But, unlike most other caterpillars, they eat a plant that could kill them with their first bite.
They rely on milkweed plants as their sole source of food, which is known as their “host plant.” Milkweeds contain toxins, and when the caterpillar eats the plants, they become toxic to would-be predators, which is a sure survival advantage. But this strategy comes with risk.
Milkweeds get their name from the milky sap that is present in the veins of the leaves. This sap poses a real threat to a caterpillar that is only 2–6 millimeters when it hatches out of the egg!
The tiny caterpillars can easily get trapped in the thick, latex-like sap and die. However, monarch butterflies have developed a special relationship with these plants they rely on, and through years of co-evolution, they have found interesting ways to live with each other.
Newly hatched caterpillars often chew crescent-shaped cuts in the leaves to drain away excess sap before they feed. Larger caterpillars have even been seen disabling the flow of sap to an entire leaf by notching the petiole—the small stem that attaches the leaf to the plant.
Surviving on a life-threatening host plant is just the beginning. You would think life could only get easier for the monarch butterfly, but that is far from the truth! Several predators have found ways to eat the caterpillars despite the toxins, and diseases and environmental threats remain a challenge to the population.
The Wonder of Monarchs and Beyond
So, what’s so special about the monarch butterfly? I think the answer lies in the fact that we have taken the time to truly get to know them. For centuries, hordes of monarchs have flown through Mexico and have been woven into Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivals over the years as symbols of loved ones returning to visit. Initially, nobody knew where they went or why—until curious, dedicated people took the time to uncover the mystery.
Monarchs are an important reminder to slow down and look at the world around us, because we might find inspiring stories of resilience and crucial interconnectedness. There is a survival story against daunting odds, repeated generation after generation.
Next time you see a black and orange flicker across a field of purple and yellow, I invite you to look a little more closely at it. You may discover it’s not even a monarch butterfly, but a smaller mimic, known as a viceroy, which has found its own unique ways to adapt to its environment. And in that moment, I hope you ask yourself, “What’s so special about a Viceroy butterfly?”
Join us for ‘Monarch on the Move’
As these iconic butterflies continue their incredible journey south, you have the chance to play a part in their voyage! Join us for Monarch on the Move: A Migration Talk and Tagging Experience on Sunday, September 28, at 3:00 pm in Beckley Creek Park for a deep dive into the fascinating world of monarchs.
Expert Bob Jones will share insights into monarch butterflies’ migration and important cultural history before we head outside to search for and tag monarchs in the park, who are starting their journey to Mexico. Tagging helps scientists track migration routes and survival rates, giving us a clearer picture of how these butterflies make their 3,000-mile journey.
By participating, you’ll witness this migration up close and contribute valuable data to ongoing conservation efforts. Registration is required, and space is limited—reserve your spot today to take part in this unforgettable experience!
