The Monarchs are Coming!

In early September, the occasional orange butterfly flutters past the gardens, houses and businesses of Edmond. By the end of the month, there is a noticeable increase in the number of monarch butterflies stopping to rest and refuel on their journey south. 

Their yearly migration across the United States into Mexico is a phenomenon of nature that has captured local attention and international concern as scientists track the progress of these tiny colorful insects. 

What makes these butterflies unique is that the fall monarchs are the great-great grandchildren of the monarchs who traveled the same path last year. Multiple generations of monarch butterflies have laid eggs and flown between Mexico and Canada—but the fall generation is different. They are bigger, tougher and able to live six months instead of a few months, like their ancestors earlier in the year. Somehow, this generation instinctively flies 3,000 miles to find a small section in Mexico, where it’s never been before, and roosts with millions of other monarchs for the winter. 

Famous Butterflies 

Not only is the monarch butterfly highly visible in the United States, it is the most studied butterfly on the planet. As far back as the Civil War, a biologist suggested that the monarchs––so plentiful that they blotted out the sky–– appeared to be flying long distances. 

After World War II, Fred Urquhart developed a method for monitoring their progress. He created little tags to put on the butterflies’ wings, which could be reported by anyone who spotted them– –a process now called Citizen Science. Urquhart marked the sightings on a wall map and eventually tracked the monarchs to Mexico. National Geographic Magazine shared his discovery with the world in 1976. 

Citizen Science continues to reveal more evidence that monarchs are intelligent, trainable, and adaptable. They reroute around hurricanes and wildfires. Recently, large numbers of monarchs have been photographed hitching a ride on ships in the Gulf of Mexico–instead of flying the distance! 

Oklahomans Helping Monarchs 

Oklahoma offers hope for the declining monarch populations because of its large portions of prairie. Several Native American tribes own vast expanses of reservation land that is unsettled and hosts nectar plants found nowhere else. In addition, Interstate 35 is designated by Oklahoma and nearby states as “The Monarch Highway.” Less mowing in the right-of-way sections along the highway allows wildflowers to bloom and reseed during the summer. 

In Edmond, the Parks Maintenance and Urban Forestry employees are cooperating to increase pollinator-friendly plants around city buildings and parks. Mitch Park, for example, is planted with many species of milkweed. By removing invasive trees and planting wildflowers that bloom in different seasons—the park’s grassland is attractive to multiple generations of monarchs. 

The mighty mysterious monarch is a creature of both brains and beauty. This butterfly has gained a ton of attention for an insect that weighs barely half a gram, but the sheer impossibility of its flight is what has intrigued generations of people. September is the month when the fluttering of orange and black wings signals that fall has arrived. So, get ready––here come the monarchs! 

Even in September, it’s not too late to do your part in helping monarchs: 

• The easiest way to help with Citizen Science is by using your cell phone. Snap photos of monarchs as they fly through Edmond and upload them to JourneyNorth.org. 

• Volunteer to tag (sticker) monarch butterflies during fall migration. Stickers must be ordered before migration so don’t wait. MonarchWatch.org/Tagging 

• Start making planting choices that help butterflies year-round. Your garden can even become a certified Monarch Waystation! MonarchWatch.org/Waystations 

• OkiesforMonarchs.org is a great place to learn more about local conservation, classes and activities.