Why its OK to Release Butterflies: Expert Answers to Butterfly Concerns 1) Do captive-raised Monarchs migrate?
Do indoor-reared Monarchs migrate? 2) Do Monarchs that are transported great distances from their natal origin migrate to Michoacan, Mexico? 3) Does release of non-natal origin butterflies invalidate scientific biogeographic studies? 4) Does genetic drift and natural selection that occurs in summer Monarchs persist? 5) Do Monarchs reaching each colony in Mexico originate from all areas of the northern breeding range? 6) Do captive-raised Monarchs that are released somehow weaken the wild population? 7) Do captive-raised butterflies spread diseases and parasites to wild populations? 8) Three levels of concern have been raised about the “transfer” (release of Monarchs from one geographic area into another) Transfers of SNPs and STRs Biogeographic Studies The Experts References 1) Do captive-raised Monarchs migrate? Yes! (Dr. O.R. Taylor, Monarch Watch, University of Kansas) Yes, this is now well established. Please see the PDF files of the recoveries from 1998 on the Monarch Watch websit
