1. Monarch Butterfly
The Great Migrator

3. Monarch Butterflies are known as the great migrators
The average lifespan of a Monarch is 6 to 8 months
Group name of monarchs are called a flutter
Monarchs are the size of a tea cup
Monarchs are herbivores

4. Monarch Life Cycle Butterflies undergo a process called metamorphosis.
There are four distinct stages:
1. Egg, 3-5 days
2. Larva, days (caterpillar)
3. Pupa, days (Juvenile)
4. Adult, few months (Butterfly)
Monarchs are born with the urge to migrate. Once they grow their wings they are determined to fly and reproduce.

6. The Great Migration
It takes a full year for the annual Monarch migration from Texas up to Eastern United States to Canada
It takes 2-3 generations of Monarchs to make the entire trip but only 1 generation to make it to Mexico
The Northern generations of monarchs migrate 4-6 weeks, this is when they lay their eggs on Milkweed plants along the way.
Monarch butterflies fly 2,000 miles or more to the cool Oyamel fir forest region in central Mexico. 

7. The Great Migration
Texas
Canada
Mexico

8. Why Monarchs are important for our ecosystem
Due to habitat loss, toxic herbicides sprayed on plants, and loss of native milkweed, Monarch butterflies are currently a threatened species.
Monarchs are part of a food chain. The animals that eat the monarchs need to get energy. If Monarch Butterflies disappear so will other species
Monarch are pollinators and naturally help pollinate many flowers around the United States

9. Monarch Conservation
What is Conservation? Conservation is the preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and or wildlife.
Monarch Butterfly Conservation is vital for the continuation of Monarch generations to come.
Programs such as the Catch, Tag, and Release programs that organizations like the Monarch Watch do help better understand Monarch Migration and population numbers

10. Monarch Fun Facts
The monarch caterpillar is a voracious eater, capable of consuming an entire milkweed leaf in less than five minutes.
A Monarch caterpillar will gain about 2,700 times its original weight.
The black spot on the inside surface of its hind wing distinguishes the male Monarch butterflies from the females
The monarch flaps it’s wings 300 to 720 times a minute
Monarchs do not migrate at night
Monarch mothers lay about a maximum of 250 eggs per day at the rate of one egg at a time.
Monarchs use their antennas to smell flower nectar