Researchers Look For Monarch Butterflies Wintering In Georgia

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Researchers are looking for monarch butterflies who spend the winter in Georgia instead of migrating.

Credit: Linda May, Georgia DNR

Scientists are asking for your help looking for monarch butterflies that might be spending the winter in Georgia.

The familiar orange-and-black butterflies typically pass through Georgia in the fall on their way to spend the winter in Mexico. But researchers say the butterflies don’t all migrate, and they want people to look for any that have stuck around.

Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Anna Yellin said monarchs might act differently this time of year.

“There might be some flying, they might be going to other places, but they might also be clustering in trees and trying to basically rely on the trees to give them a little insulation so they can make it through the winter,” Yellin said.

The researchers want to know whether monarchs are here in the winter and where they might be so that they can better protect the butterflies.

You can learn more about the effort and report your monarch sightings at journeynorth.org/monarchs.