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Milkweed and Monarch Butterflys


MONARCH BUTTERFLY

Every year, monarch butterflies make a multi-generational migration to and from overwintering sites in mountain regions of Central Mexico. They arrive at their summer breeding grounds—the Midwest—in late spring and increase their population size over two to three generations before returning to Mexico.

"Monarchs from east of the Rocky Mountains migrate to the mountains of Central Mexico and monarchs in the Western U.S. migrate to California. Monarchs in Arizona can migrate to Mexico, California, or a small number seem to spend the winter in the lower deserts of Arizona."
https://www.usanpn.org/nn/campaigns/DesertRefuge

Desert Refuge Project

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

We need interested observers to set up an observation site and find one or more milkweed plants to track from September to June.


Monarch Arrives in Arizona



MILKWEED

Milkweed plants are herbaceous perennials, meaning 
Milkweed plants are herbaceous perennials, meaning they live for several years (more than two), dying back in winter and regrowing from their roots each spring, though their individual lifespan varies by species and conditions, with some garden varieties lasting 10-20 years, while others might only last 2-5 years before needing replacement or reseeding.

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