The Monarch butterfly is the most widely recognized butterfly in our country. So popular, in fact, some have petitioned to have it named our nation’s insect. And while Monarchs are distinguished for their annual fall migration, the details of this great flight are often overlooked or misunderstood.
Every fall, millions of Monarchs from as far north as Vermont and Canada, flitter and glide there way south. Clustered by the millions, Monarchs will wait the winter out in the giant oyamel and eucalyptus trees of Mexico and California. The migration alone is incredible, the fact that none of these Monarchs have previously been to the over wintering sites, make it extraordinary!
In the spring, as the air warms in Mexico and California, the over wintering monarchs begin their journey north. Along the way they mate, lay eggs and die. If lucky, the Monarchs from the Mexican sites might make it as far north as Texas. The next generation of monarchs continues the progression north. Months later the great, great, great, great grandchildren of those early spring monarchs will reach the southern border of Canada. It is these Monarchs, triggered by dropping temperatures, which venture back to the roosting sites in Mexico and California.
Scientists may never discover how Monarch butterflies navigate their way back to the roosting sites of their ancestors. It remains one of the great-unsolved mysteries of Natural Science. Individuals however, can enjoy the magic of Monarch butterflies by raising and releasing these winged creatures.
Over the years, I have enjoyed sharing my passion for butterflies by teaching classes on how to raise and release Monarchs. Finding eggs and caterpillars in the wild and raising them to adults is a very rewarding experience. I used to believe children benefited the greatest from this endeavor. But the emergence of the adult butterfly appears to inspire the adults in my class the most. Is it the Monarch caterpillar’s ability to completely transform itself that captivates us, or realizing life’s fragility as we observe the defenseless adult butterfly pumping up her wings? For myself, it is the lesson of letting go received as I lift the lid of the container and set my monarch free.
Medelise
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1 comment:
i'm DUH because i live here and the monarchs are born in my field and i JUST realized this summer that their life is so amazing; i have read about them, i know about them, yet i just never put two and two together that MY butterflies go so far. it was difficult for me to realize that the legend began in my own property.
this is a great blog.
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