“Mariposas Monarca,” or Monarch butterflies, are large, orange and black butterflies known for their remarkable migration journey. These insects primarily belong to the species Danaus plexippus and are famous for traveling thousands of miles from their breeding grounds in North America to warmer climates in Mexico during the winter months. This migration can encompass distances up to 3,000 miles and is considered one of the most notable natural phenomena in the insect world. Monarch butterflies are also recognized for their striking coloration, which serves as a warning to predators about their toxicity, derived from the milkweed plants they consume as caterpillars. The lifecycle of the Monarch includes distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly. They play a critical role in ecosystems as pollinators and are a focus of conservation efforts due to habitat loss and population decline.
La población de mariposas Monarca ha alcanzado su segundo nivel más bajo registrado en los bosques mexicanos este invierno. Los bosques son el hogar de invierno de estos insectos. La…