Millions Of Monarch Butterflies Are Headed For Minnesota This Spring

Here in Minnesota, most of us are familiar with the Canada goose migration every spring and fall. These noisy birds fly over our state every spring, taking up residence in ponds and lakes before it is time to head south once again. But there’s another famous migration that takes place in Minnesota every year. It’s much quieter, but just as beautiful. Millions of monarch butterflies are headed straight for Minnesota this spring.

Monarch butterflies are beautiful insects that are famous for their cross-country migration every spring and fall. They are Minnesota’s state butterfly!

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Every spring, millions of monarch butterflies begin a migration from their wintering site in Mexico. They fly north into the United States and parts of Canada.

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Along the way, butterflies lay their tiny eggs on milkweed plants.

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The eggs hatch, and monarch caterpillars begin to grow. In just a few weeks, the caterpillar becomes a butterfly!

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These newborn butterflies continue the migration north. Several generations of monarchs are born and die during the migration.

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The butterflies will thrive in southwestern Minnesota’s prairies, where milkweed and other prairie flowers grow naturally.

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You can also draw them into your backyard by planting milkweed.

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In just a few short weeks, these colorful insects will be ready to depart once again. Tens of millions of monarchs will fly out of Minnesota between July and October. They’ll head back to their winter grounds in Mexico.

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Those butterflies that make the journey will spend the winter in warm weather before continuing the cycle again next spring. The monarch butterfly migration brings beautiful insects to Minnesota every year!

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Have you ever spotted a monarch in Minnesota? While these butterflies still arrive by the millions, their numbers are dwindling. For more information about the insects, check out the DNR monarch butterfly page. And for information about attracting the butterflies to your yard, check out their butterfly garden page.

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Sharon Mollerus/Flickr

USFWS Midwest Region/Facebook

USFWS Midwest Region/Flickr

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