Monarch Butterfly: The Science Behind the Wandering Milkweed Common Tiger of the Americas

The monarch is a common butterfly, found in the Americas that is considered a poster species of pollinating insects. The monarch butterfly is easily recognizable because of its bright black, orange, and white patterns. Monarch butterflies are a parasite to their caterpillars’ only food source, milkweed. This plant itself is toxic to thwart insects from consuming its plant body, this includes an attempt to be toxic to monarchs. This has resulted in an evolutionary arms race between the two species. 

You’ve probably released monarch butterflies at some point in your life, if you’re from the Americas, but what do you really know about this flagship species? 

How does this tiny insect migrate such great distances, something normally only seen in larger animals like birds? How did monarchs evolve to eat a toxic plant, and why do they still exclusively eat it? What, if any, are the benefits of releasing captive raised Monarchs into the wild? What needs to be done to ensure the survival of this species?

You probably think you know all about this common butterfly, but do you really? Listen now to learn about the most recognizable and well studied butterflies on the planet.