Monarch Butterfly
One of the most recognizable and adored butterflies of Texas skies—the Monarch Butterfly.
The Monarch Butterfly takes part in one of the most spectacular migrations known in North America.
Texas provides essential habitat as part of their migration and life cycle, every Spring and Fall.
"Texas is an important state in monarch migration because it is situated between the principal breeding grounds in the north and the overwintering areas in Mexico. Monarchs funnel through Texas both in the fall and the spring.
During the fall, monarchs use two principal flyways. One traverses Texas in a 300-mile wide path stretching from Wichita Falls to Eagle Pass. Monarchs enter the Texas portion of this flyway during the last days of September. By early November, most have passed through into Mexico. The second flyway is situated along the Texas coast and lasts roughly from the third week of October to the middle of November.
Early each March overwintering monarchs begin arriving from their overwintering grounds in Mexico. Seeking emerging milkweeds, they move through Texas laying eggs before dying. Their offspring continue heading north, leaving most of Texas behind, the first of several new generations of monarchs that re-populate the eastern half of the United States and southern Canada." Learn more at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Over the last couple of decades, biologists have documented that Monarch Butterfly populations have drastically declined at their overwintering sites in Mexico. One of the primary drivers believed to be impacting migratory Monarch populations is the loss and degradation of their breeding, migratory, and overwintering habitat.
Texans can help!
Take Action
Two important ways Texans can help the Monarch Butterfly:
(1) Provide native milkweed to support their caterpillars.
(2) Provide native nectar plants to fuel their migration in the Fall.
Action 1: Spring - Grow native milkweeds to support hungry caterpillars
Native Milkweed—such as this Antelope Horn Milkweed—is the needed host plant for the Monarch Butterfly caterpillar.
Action 2: Fall - Provide native nectar plants to support adult butterflies in the Fall
Blazingstar
Maximillian Sunflower
Aster
Frostweed
Late-flowering
Boneset
Goldenrod
Gregg's Mistflower
Native nectar plants that bloom in the Fall support adult Monarch Butterflies by fueling their migration to Mexico.
Examples include Blazingstar, Gregg's Mistflower, Maximillian Sunflower, Frostweed, Golden Rod, Fall Aster, and Boneset.
To find out what native milkweed species and native Fall nectar plants are best for your region of Texas—and where to buy them—reach out to your local Texas Master Naturalist Chapter or Native Plant Society of Texas Chapter.
Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Resources:
-Management Recommendations for Native Insect Pollinators in Texas — ACCESS PDF HERE
-Monarch Joint Venture Habitat Help Desk for Working Lands — Visit HERE
-Get habitat advice from your Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildlife Biologist. Tell them you'd like to get started on habitat management and restoration on your property to benefit the Monarch Butterfly and pollinators. Find yours by county HERE.
- Texas Monarch and Native Pollinator Conservation Plan — ACCESS PDF HERE
- Creating Monarch Way Station Habitats — Learn more from MonarchWatch