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Monarch Butterfly Migration: The Strength of Fragility

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A spectacle to behold and a wake-up call to our conscience.

oyamel forests

On the occasion of the initiative of Mexico, Canada and the United States to protect bees for their irreplaceable role in pollinating fields; sanctuaries for the Monarch Butterfly have been established in Michoacán.

> From as far away as southern Canada, traversing thousands of kilometers in summer across the United States; the migratory route of the adult Monarch Butterfly to the forests of Oyamel in the biosphere reserve created for it; it is a challenge to the weather, the distance; and unfortunately to pesticides in the fields.

This migratory species striking by the colors of its wings, is a sight to behold, and a call to our conscience.

The Monarch Butterfly is simply admirable. Being an insect that just by touching it seems to melt between our fingers, its strength and resistance contrast with that concept of fragility. They are able to fly from Canada to their sanctuaries in the State of Michoacán, on a route of more than 4 thousand kilometers to escape the winter cold, and mate in these warm lands to reproduce and thus continue their role in nature of spreading the pollen from the plants from which it takes its nectar.

The Monarch, whose name it received for being one of the species whose wings have the largest wingspan among the other butterflies, displays its orange and black colors in what is a visual spectacle to us, but actually a warning to its predators of poison. that contain.

This, named the national insect of Canada, also stands out for its longevity, since other species die just days after being born; however the Monarch can live up to 9 months. The male, unlike the female, which has darker colored wings and thicker stripes, exhibits characteristic spots on their wings where they release pheromones that attract the opposite sex. Once these pheromones are released, the fight for reproduction causes them to group together in the large clusters that we see in the trees of the forest reserves full of Oyamel trees, where they practically decorate the orange and black trees.

A whole new migratory generation is born in these forests. And at birth they imprint in their memory before their return to the north, the place where they were born and gave them shelter from the harshness of the northern winter. Millions of Butterflies will raise their silent flight every year in early spring on their annual migration; and they will return to the place where they were born thanks to the efforts of you and our countries for their conservation.

>oyamel forests

Doing ecotourism towards these natural refuges, declared Natural Patrimony of Humanity in 2008 by UNESCO, is almost an obligation for those of us who defend the environment. We must take our children and show them the fragility of the life cycle, as well as the strength of this insect that, like bees keep our fields fertile, and therefore, the sustainability of our own life.

If you want to know when and where you can do ecotourism and thus support the authorities and organizations that fight to preserve the environment of the Monarch, we suggest you go to the official site of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico

Frequently asked questions from our readers:

The Monarch butterfly migration has a significant impact on ecotourism and conservation, attracting thousands of tourists each year who wish to witness this unique natural phenomenon. Furthermore, the conservation of their habitat becomes a priority to guarantee their survival, which implies the protection of natural areas and the implementation of measures to preserve their migratory cycle. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/ecoturismo-y-conservacion/la-migracion-de-la-mariposa-monarca-la-fortaleza-de-la-fragilidad
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The best time to see monarch butterfly colonies in Mexico is during the winter, from late October to early March. During these months, monarch butterflies migrate from North America to spend the winter in the fir forests in certain regions of Mexico, such as the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Michoacán and the State of Mexico. These areas have become important destinations for ecotourism and monarch butterfly viewing.

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Monarch butterflies, in their adult phase, feed mainly on flower nectar. They have a preference for certain types of flowers, and their nectar diet is crucial for obtaining the energy necessary for migration and reproduction. In the larval (caterpillar) stages, they feed exclusively on plants in the Asclepiadaceae family, commonly known as milkweed plants. These plants are toxic to many animals, but monarch butterflies have developed the ability to tolerate their toxins.

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The monarch butterfly is known for its annual migration between Mexico, the United States and Canada. During the winter, monarch butterflies gather in large colonies in fir forests in certain regions of Mexico. During the spring and summer, they disperse across North America, where they can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands and gardens.

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Last modified: March 21, 2024