Millions of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) migrate every year from Canada, fleeing the cold winter, to the fir forests in western Mexico, particularly in the regions of Michoacán and part of the State of Mexico to hibernate for a couple of months.
After 30 years of monitoring, this species has not arrived punctually for its appointment with the Mexican forests, which usually occurs at the end of October or the first days of November. In these first days of December, the fluttering of the butterflies cannot yet be seen in the sanctuaries dedicated to their protection.
Amado Fernández, director of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, indicated that the monarchs are about four weeks late. One of the possible explanations for the unprecedented delay is climate change, since warmer conditions in the north of the continent cause a late migration.
Once the butterflies arrive on Mexican soil, the factor of a warmer climate than usual could lead to an early departure to Canada, reducing their stay in Mexico.
Beyond the tourist spectacle that it represents for the sanctuaries in Michoacán, an early departure entails other risks, since the alteration in travel times will break the synchronization with the flowering of the plants that serve as food for this species.
Historically, these insects begin their four thousand kilometer journey from the Great Lakes region in Canada in mid-September, cross the northeast of the United States and a month and a half later reach the forests in western Mexico.
Specialists indicate that the greatest flow of butterflies occurred in mid-October, so they could arrive at the Mexican sanctuaries in the second week of December.
Mexico recommends visitors follow protection measures for the monarch butterfly
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, located on the borders of the states of Michoacán and the State of Mexico, is preparing to receive thousands of visitors in the 2024-2025 hibernation season.
This natural phenomenon, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is one of the most impressive migratory events in the animal kingdom, where Monarch butterflies travel more than four thousand kilometers from Canada and the United States to the temperate fir forests in Mexico.
The National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp), together with local governments, has announced that the sanctuaries will be open to the public from November 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Available tourist stops include El Rosario in the municipality of Ocampo, Senguio in Senguio, and Sierra Chincua in Angangueo, all in Michoacán, as well as Piedra Herrada in San Mateo Almomoloa, State of Mexico.
The El Rosario Sanctuary highlighted the importance of protecting the Monarch butterfly’s hibernation forests, as well as ensuring its feeding and resting habitats during its journey through Mexico’s Protected Natural Areas (ANP).
Conanp has emphasized the need to follow a code of conduct for tourists, which includes respecting the trails, not bringing in food or alcoholic beverages, and avoiding the use of flash in photographs.
The Monarch butterfly’s migratory phenomenon is one of the longest known among insects, and its preservation is crucial to maintaining the ecological balance of the region. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve houses approximately 70% of the total population of this species during its hibernation, distributed in eight colonies.
Source: infrobae
