VERNAL MIGRATION OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY (<i>DANAUS P</i>. <i>PLEXIPPUS</i>, LEPIDOPTERA: DANAIDAE) IN NORTH AMERICA FROM THE OVERWINTERING SITE IN THE NEO-VOLCANIC PLATEAU OF MEXICO

Abstract

Abstract The vernal migration routes of the eastern population of the monarch butterfly ( Danaus p . plexippus L.) in North America were plotted from data resulting from the recapture of migrants alar tagged in the overwintering site of the Neo-volcanic Plateau of Mexico. One migrant, which had been alar tagged at Decorah, Iowa, on 3 September 1973, and recaptured 7 months later on 8 April 1974 at Richmond, Texas, led to the conclusion that this particular migrant had flown to the Mexican overwintering site and was recaptured on its return vernal flight. This recapture also gave data indicating that it was not returning to the original breeding area, from which it is concluded that although some migrants may return to the original breeding grounds many may not do so.