The annual migration of Monarch Butterflies is one of the most impressive phenomena in the natural world. Every spring, vast numbers of monarch butterflies undertake a multi-generational journey from their wintering grounds in the mountains of Mexico to temperate areas of the United States thousands of miles to the north where they will summer, and then return back to Mexico in the fall. This incredible yearly pilgrimage is under threat from habitat destruction, which has drastically reduced the population of migrants in recent decades.
Texas is an extremely critical state for these migrating monarchs 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.
Planting native milkweeds in Texas is critical to help support the monarchs arriving from their overwintering grounds in Mexico. Milkweeds are the only host plants for monarch caterpillars. Without them, monarchs can’t complete their life cycle. It is vital that the monarch butterflies coming from Mexico find milkweed to lay their eggs before they die. The caterpillars will be the first of several new generations of monarchs that repopulate the eastern half of the United States and Canada.
Texas is a milkweed hotspot, with over 30 native species that play a vital role in supporting monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Native species are especially important because they’re adapted to local conditions and bloom at the right time for migrating butterflies.
Here are some standout varieties you’ll find across the state:
🌿 Native Milkweeds in Texas
But milkweed is not the only plant these migrating monarchs seek. Adult monarch butterflies seek nectar from other native plants, too, which provide energy to the adult butterflies and help to fuel their flight.
Monarch butterflies are famously picky eaters as caterpillars (milkweed or bust), but as adults, they’re nectar connoisseurs—and Texas offers a buffet of native wildflowers that keep them fueled for their epic migration. Here are some top picks that monarchs love to feed on:
🌼 Nectar-Rich Native Wildflowers in Texas
We can help these iconic insects by planting milkweed and native flowers along their migration path.
Resources:
Texas Parks and Wildlife-Monarchs
Ladybird Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Download a complete list of Texas native milkweeds here.
The Monarch Sanctuary Project of Texas
