Autumnal migration routes of the eastern population of the monarch butterfly (Danaus p. plexippus L.; Danaidae; Lepidoptera) in North America to the overwintering site in the Neovolcanic Plateau of Mexico

Abstract

Based upon numerous recaptures of alar-tagged migrating monarch butterflies, together with extensive field expeditions through various parts of North and Central America, the migrating routes of monarchs have been plotted with considerable accuracy.Five overwintering areas have been defined representing 13 loci of concentrations, in the Neovolcanic Plateau of Mexico.It appears that migrants from the breeding areas of the Great Plains region overwinter in the western mountains of Mexico and those from breeding areas east of the Great Plains region overwinter in the eastern mountains. The greatest concentration occurs in the central mountains and represents migrations from parts of the Great Plains regions and parts of the eastern regions.