Monarch butterflies have been sighted in Michigan after flying thousands of miles from central Mexico and southern U.S. states.
Four monarchs were sighted in the southern Lower Peninsula, according to the Journey North monarch sighting map — an environmental conservation organization that’s part of the Monarch Joint Venture, a collective federal initiative to protect monarchs.
On April 23, an adult female monarch was photographed laying eggs on a swamp milkweed near St. Clair Shores. One was sighted near a puddle in Brighton and another in St. Johns. A couple days later, April 25, a monarch was seen in Grand Rapids, according to the Journey North monarch sighting map.
In mid-April to May monarchs will return to Michigan to breed throughout the summer. While several generations will breed and die each summer, the final generation each summer lives longer and migrates south. During winter, the final broods fly to central Mexico’s mountains and southern U.S. states such as Florida or California’s coast, according to the Monarch Joint Venture.
Female monarchs lay eggs on milkweed plants, considered a monarch’s host plant. Experts recommend residents to plant milkweeds as a way to help their populations flourish.
Here’s how to track/report monarch butterflies in Michigan this year.
Where have monarchs been spotted?
Reports of monarch sightings are available online through Journey North maps that track the migration. Monarch Joint Venture also offers a feature to report sightings.
Where do monarchs go over the winter?
Monarchs travel as far as 3,000 miles to their wintering destinations in Mexico’s Oyamel Fir Forests. During their travel, they only fly during the day then gather in clusters for warmth at night referred to as a roost.
Monarchs also winter in southern Florida or the Pacific coast — those that make there journey to California typically come from areas west of The Rocky Mountains.
Should I plant a milkweed? How to help monarch butterflies
Monarchs are not listed as an endangered species on the U.S. Endangered Species Act, however, the species were proposed to be included on the list in 2024.
Here are some suggestions to consider this spring from Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources to encourage monarch populations:
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Monarch butterflies have returned to Michigan. Where they’ve been seen
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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