How fast do individual migrating Monarchs fly?
Clearly, the flight speed of such a small organism depends on environmental such as wind speed and direction relative to the heading (direction) of the butterfly. Monarchs are slow fliers relative to other butterflies and moths, flapping their wings only 5-12 times per second. Their flight speeds have been measured at 5 meters per second, 18 km or 12 miles per hour; but, if disturbed, they can fly much faster for short distances. Surprisingly, there are few data on flight speeds of Monarchs and other butterflies. This could be a good project. All that is required is an open field, a clipboard, a tape measure, a stop watch, a wind speed and direction indicator and some keen observers.
