The Monarch Butterfly
Monarch Migration
Plight of the Monarch
Across North America, populations of the iconic Monarch Butterfly are in steep decline. Monarch butterflies are known for their incredible orange and black wings, and the brilliantly-coloured Monarch is a summer breeder in many areas of southern Canada. Most Canadian-born adults head to the highlands of central Mexico to overwinter. It takes three to four generations of Monarchs to return to Canada during the spring migration. Monarchs require both milkweed (the host plant of the Monarch caterpillar) and other wildflowers (a source of nectar) across the breeding range and migration routes. The federal government formally listed the Monarch Butterfly as Endangered in December of 2023. Monarch population decline is likely due to a combination of threats: habitat loss, use of herbicides and pesticides, and climate change.
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