Monarch Butterflies - Butterfly Box

I learned something fascinating about monarch butterflies today. Monarch butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle and go through four generations in one year. We know that butterflies lay eggs, which hatch into caterpillars and then turn into butterflies. But did you know that in a given year the cycle continues itself four times, three of those times happening between March and August?

I know, you're thinking... "uh, okay. Yeah, I guess that's kind of neat." but check it out!
The first generation of monarch butterflies hatch into little caterpillars in March and April (right about now). They spend a couple of weeks munching on milkweed plants and then cocoon. During the following two week period the caterpillar goes through the process of metamorphosis and emerges a butterfly where the cycle repeats. Generally each monarch only has two weeks to enjoy the rest of its life as a beautiful butterfly. They lay eggs, they feed on flowers, and they flutter around as butterflies do. The second generation of monarchs are born between May and June. The third generation is born in July and August. But the fourth generation is different. They are born in Sept and October and instead of dying after being a butterfly for only two weeks, they instead migrate to warmer climates and live for six to eight months! They then migrate back up North and start the process all over again.

Which means, the monarch butterflies we see up here in the North are generally young, maybe living six or eight weeks. Where as the monarchs in Mexico and California during the winter are probably much older and may have traveled all the way across the country.

Nature is truly amazing.

Find out more about Monarchs here: CLICK