Monarch butterflies are amazing butterflies! The monarch butterfly is unique in its two-way migration pattern, traveling both north and south to spend the winter in warmer climates. One of the places they travel through on their migration is Georgia, making the state a perfect place to go and see the butterflies! Read below to learn when and where to see monarch butterflies in Georgia.
The eastern population of monarch butterflies spends the winter in the mountains of central Mexico, and in the spring, successive generations gradually migrate northward through the United States, eventually reaching Canada.
©iStock.com/MruthCotrofeld
When to Spot Monarch Butterflies in Georgia
Georgia falls right in line with the migration path of monarch butterflies. Because of their two-way migration pattern, there are two times of year when they are most present: spring and fall. In the spring, the butterflies migrate back up north, and in the fall, they migrate down south to avoid the cold. For this reason, April through May and August through October are the best months to see monarch butterflies in Georgia, though timing can vary slightly each year depending on weather patterns!
During the winter months, monarch butterflies travel south to Mexico to overwinter. The butterflies will then travel back up north during the summer months. This is all related to their breeding patterns. Monarch butterflies have multiple generations each year. The butterflies that migrate south are part of the ‘super generation.’ This special generation does not reproduce until it reaches its final destination and can live for six to nine months. In contrast, the monarchs that migrate north go through three to four generations, each living only about two to six weeks.
Where to Spot Monarch Butterflies
There are some amazing places in Georgia to see monarch butterflies! Journey North, an organization that allows users to report monarch sightings, has some great information on the best sightings in Georgia! One great place is Savannah. Known for its historical architecture and beautiful parks, Savannah is also a famous spot to see monarchs! Places such as Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge help with the conservation of monarchs to support them on their migration south. This makes it a great place to observe the monarchs.
A monarch butterfly pollinating a milkweed plant.
©Nancy Bauer/Shutterstock.com
What Plants Monarch Butterflies Like
Monarch butterflies have a favorite plant: milkweed. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed, which gives monarchs their poisonous traits. Milkweed plants produce toxins called cardenolides and cardiac glycosides, which are dangerous to most animals but not to monarchs. These toxins make monarchs poisonous to predators, serving as one of their main defenses. Those seeking to attract monarch butterflies can plant milkweed in their gardens. Doing so helps conserve the butterflies, provides them with a place to rest and feed, and adds beauty to the garden.
What’s Needed in Spotting
Watching butterflies is a fun and simple activity that requires no special equipment. However, there are some tips and tricks you can use to enhance your butterfly spotting experience. Binoculars are extremely helpful when looking at butterflies from a long distance. Given their flighty nature, keeping a good distance and using binoculars gives you a great view. Other butterfly watchers enjoy having a camera or notebook with them. These allow you to document memories from when you went to see the butterflies! With these tips, you can enjoy your monarch butterfly spotting in Georgia even more!
The post When to See Georgia’s Gorgeous Monarch Migration appeared first on A-Z Animals.
