Monarch butterflies

Danaida monarch is one of the most well-known butterflies in North America. The common name "monarch" was firstly used about it by the American entomologist Samuel Skudder in 1874. He remarked, "This butterfly is one of the biggest and rules in extensive territory".

To look at the Monarch butterflies, you need to make quite a difficult path, going in the literal sense through the thorns to the stars.

First we'll go from Mexico to the wonderful town Angangeo, located 150 km east of the capital. Small original town, once famous for its mines, is hidden between mountains, in pine forests of which butterflies spend the winter, resting after a long flight.

After a short time in the town we’ll go to the famous Biosphere Reserve of the Monarch Butterfly, 56,259 hectares of which are located in remote mountains, a short drive from Angangeo. Of course, you’ll have to take efforts to climb up the mountain. But it's worth it! By the way, those who don’t want to walk can make their way along the forest paths riding the horse.

And a stunner appears in front of your eyes! Monarch butterflies are like the finest red and yellow leaves of autumn trees or the delicate flower petals that covering the trees to the tops make them sparkle with different shades.

The millions of butterflies flock to Michoacan. Insects congregate in small areas of protected forest, coloring its trees in orange and making the branches of plants to sag under their weight.

During the migration the monarchs overcome from 2.5 to 4 thousand miles. Until now, scientists could not fully explore and explain this phenomenon. After all butterflies migrate every year, and their life expectancy is much shorter. Thus, only a great grandchildren (4th generation) of those who started this long journey can get to Mexico. But how do these amazing creatures of nature know about the need and the direction of the flight? Perhaps you will be able to unravel this mystery.