Monarchs

While our Butterfly House and Gardens contain a variety of Butterfly species, our focus for this tour will be the Monarch.  Our goal is to further explore their unique life cycle, migration patterns, and food source for these magnificent butterflies.  Additionally, we will conclude the tour today with a goal for how to plant milkweed across our community to ensure their larvae continue to have a growing food source for survival.  While frequently confused with the viceroy, monarchs are known to have a distinct black and orange coloring with banding in yellow, white, and cream.  While many are familiar with the stages of a life cycle, less are aware of how these butterflies were originally tracked for migration to northen Mexico during the fall and winter months.  When considering their journey north each spring, their ability to locate and lay eggs on milkweed while on this journey, and to safely return as the final generation is an astonishing feat!  Join me as we continue to learn about this amazing butterfly and its journey north!