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Monarch butterflies are some of the most fascinating and beloved creatures in nature. With their bright orange wings trimmed in black and dotted with white spots, they remind me of tiny pieces of stained glass fluttering from flower to flower. But did you know that monarchs are also long-distance travelers, expert navigators, and poisonous to birds? 

One of the most amazing things about monarch butterflies is their migration. Unlike most butterflies that stay in one area, monarchs travel thousands of miles every year! Monarchs living in the United States and Canada fly all the way to Mexico to escape the cold winter. That’s over 3,000 miles—without using a GPS! So, how do they navigate? 

It’s believed the butterflies use the position of the sun and Earth’s magnetic field to guide them, but no one’s quite sure. Even more incredible, the butterflies that do reach Mexico have never been there before. Just think about that. 

The first generation hatches in early spring in the southern U.S. and then flies north to lay their eggs. The second and third generations continue the journey north through the summer, sometimes all the way to Canada, living only a few weeks before laying their eggs. 

The fourth generation, born in late summer, are “super monarchs” and don’t lay eggs right away. Instead, they store energy and fly all the way to Mexico for the winter, living up to eight months. Once they reach their winter home, they rest in large clusters in trees, waiting for spring to arrive. Then, when the weather warms up, they begin their journey north again, laying eggs along the way to restart the cycle. Ah, Mother Nature.

Like all butterflies, monarchs undergo metamorphosis, which is just a fancy word for the process of changing from a caterpillar into a butterfly. It starts when a female monarch lays eggs on milkweed plants. The tiny eggs hatch into caterpillars, which are black, white, and yellow-striped eating machines. These caterpillars grow bigger and bigger until they’re ready for the next stage.

Then, they form a chrysalis, a smooth green case with gold speckles. If you’ve ever seen one, they are beautiful works of art. Inside the chrysalis, something amazing happens—the caterpillar digests itself and then rearranges its cells into a butterfly! Kinda gross but effective! After about two weeks, the monarch emerges, unfolds its new wings, and flies off. 

Monarch butterflies may look delicious to birds, but eating one is a big mistake! When the caterpillars eat milkweed, they store toxins from the milkweed in their bodies, making them taste really bad. These toxins are then transferred to the butterfly while in the chrysalis. If a bird eats a monarch, it usually gets sick and quickly learns not to make that mistake again. The butterfly’s bright colors serve as a warning sign: “Eat me, and you’ll be sorry!”

Sadly, monarch butterflies are now considered an endangered species. Their populations have been declining due to habitat loss, changes in climate, and fewer milkweed plants, which are the only food Monarch caterpillars eat. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these amazing insects, but they need our help to survive.

So, how can you help? Planting milkweed in your garden gives monarchs a place to lay their eggs and helps the next generation grow strong. Even just a few plants create a welcome oasis for migrating monarchs. Avoiding pesticides and creating butterfly-friendly spaces with native nectar flowers can also make a big difference.

In Western North Carolina, look for the monarchs this spring as they migrate north. Then, again, in late summer to early fall when they pass through on their way back to Mexico. 

Next time you see a monarch fluttering by, take a moment to appreciate these tiny travelers. They are some of the toughest and most determined insects on the planet. Monarchs truly are one of nature’s miracles. 

Loti Woods is a founder of Champions for Wildlife, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire and empower our kids, using art and education, to be champions for wildlife. To learn more, visit https://championsforwildlife.org or email loti@championsforwildlife.org.