Where do Butterflies Migrate?
Butterflies fly south when migrating. “Where do they go?” is a question that is still for the most part unknown. It is difficult to track butterflies because there has to be a method of tagging and relocating the tagged butterflies for tracking. The Monarch butterfly, being the most studied; has been found to travel to three different locations. The largest eastern population travels mainly to central Mexico to a fir-pine forest. The eastern population that is along the Atlantic Ocean travels south into Florida. After arriving in Florida, it is unknown if they travel further, die, or have an undiscovered overwintering site. The western populations of Monarchs, west of the Rocky Mountains, overwinter in California on Pine and Eucalyptus trees. There is also a non-migratory population of Monarchs that live in southern Florida that are active throughout the winter months. Some studies are being conducted with Red Admiral and Painted Lady butterflies. They are thought to migrate just south
