Butterfly migration refers to the phenomenon of butterflies undertaking long-distance journeys from one region to another. Similar to bird migration, butterfly migration involves the movement of large numbers of butterflies over great distances. This behaviour is observed in several butterfly species around the world. Butterfly migration serves multiple purposes. It allows butterflies to escape unfavourable conditions, such as cold winters or scarcity of food, and find more suitable habitats. It also facilitates genetic diversity and intermixing of populations, which can enhance the survival and adaptation of the species as a whole.
During migration, butterflies travel between breeding and overwintering sites, usually in search of suitable climates and available food resources. The most famous example of butterfly migration is the monarch butterfly’s annual migration (Danaus plexippus) in North America.
Monarch butterflies undertake a spectacular migration covering thousands of miles. In the eastern part of North America, monarchs from as far north as Canada gather in large numbers and migrate south to overwintering sites in central Mexico. Along the way, they navigate using a combination of instinct and environmental cues, including the position of the sun and the Earth's magnetic field.
The migration of monarch butterflies is a multi-generational journey. The butterflies that reach the overwintering sites in Mexico are the descendants of those that began the migration several generations earlier. After spending the winter in Mexico, the butterfly mate and begin their return journey, with successive generations gradually making their way northward, eventually reaching the breeding grounds where the cycle begins anew.