The Majestic Migrating Monarch

Illustration of a Monarch butterfly.

Written by Elisa Pendery from the Driscoll School in Brookline, MA

Illustrated by Darcy Schwartz
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Special thanks to the Massachusetts Department of Education whose funding supported teachers and parents in the development of this story.   © CAST, 2004

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Illustration of Monarch butterfly over North America.

The Monarch, a large colorful butterfly, is an unusual butterfly.  It is the only North American butterfly that migrates across the continent each year.

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Illustration of flying Monarchs.

Each summer, Monarch butterflies  hatch in  North American territories, such as New England and Canada.

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Illustration of Monarchs flying from Canada to Florida, Texas, and Mexico.
When fall arrives, these butterflies migrate south to areas near Florida, Texas, and Mexico.
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Illustration of Monarchs in Florida.

Monarchs migrate south for two important reasons. 

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Illustration of a snowy day.

First, the Monarch butterflies are fragile.  They would not survive northeastern winters.  They migrate south to warmer weather. 

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Illustration of a Monarch eating nectar.
Second, Monarch butterflies eat foods, like nectar found in flowers. During the winter months, these food sources are scarce in the northeast.
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Illustration of many Monarchs flying south.

Monarchs migrate in huge numbers during daylight hours.

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Illustration of Monarchs resting in trees.
At night they rest in trees by the thousands.
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Illustration of many Monarchs flying south.

Like many other species, Monarch butterflies migrate in huge numbers as a protective strategy.

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Illustration of many Monarchs flying in the sky.

Traveling in large numbers protects the butterflies from attack by hungry predators.

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Illustration of a Monarch butterfly in a meadow.

Scientists also believe that traveling in large numbers helps the butterflies stay on course.  If they are alone they might fly in the wrong direction. 

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Illustration of a Monarch eating a plant.
Monarchs have another way to protect themselves.
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Illustration of Monarchs eating milkweed plants.

Monarchs feed on the nectar from milkweed plants.  This nectar makes the Monarch poisonous to their predators.

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Illustration of Monarchs flying in the sky.

Monarchs can travel up to 20 miles per hour and cover 50 miles in a day.

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Illustration of many Monarchs in trees.

Tens of millions of Monarchs arrive at their destination each winter.

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Illustration of Monarchs flying north.

The Monarchs reproduce and the next generation of butterflies makes the journey north to continue the annual cycle.

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The End!
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