Migration

The migration of the monarch butterflies begins in Canada and ends in the northern part of the United States. The fall migration begin in the late August and ends in November and December. In big lakes of Mexico there are 300 million butterflies which spending their winters there.

During the monarch's trip they may encounter a storm or other dangers on their trip such as cars, humans, and predators. Cars that are crossing a highway may pose threats to the butterflies because they may have to cross the highway. The critical overwinter site is in Mexico. Migration can take up to three generations to complete. (See yearly life cycle image)

The migration of the monarch butterflies begins in Canada and ends in the northern part of the United States.

Here is an example. Betty Butterfly started migrating from Canada in August and in November she mated in Mexico. In February Betty migrated north. Between 40 and 60 percent of the butterflies died in Mexico. Betty got to Texas by March. Whe laid her eggs and then she died. In April Bob was born and began his migration north to Canada and he started the process all over again.

Feeding

Since the butterflies usually lay their eggs on their favourite plants they first eat the egg, and then the leaves.

They eat some kinds of leaves, cabbage, sweat peas and other things. If you eat (for example) cabbage, watch out that you don't eat their eggs, since they're also yellowish-green. That is also because their camouflage is so good.

They suck nectar from the stem, of mostly brightly coloured flowers in the sun. (see photograph) I don't really know why they go for the brightly coloured flowers, but it might be that they find them more attractive because of their outstanding shiny colours.

General Information

You see butterflies in summer time. In the winter they live under bushes etc

There are ca. 150000 different species of butterflies on earth, and 2200 species in Norway.

They suck nectar from flowers from a tube which they can curl up into their bodies again, since they have no mouth.

The difference between a butterfly and a moth, is that when the butterfly sits its wings are pointed upwards. When the moth sits its wings are more flat.

Butterflies have bright colours, and moths don't.

Here is a drawing of a butterfly
with some of the parts labeled.