Mapping the premigration distribution of eastern Monarch butterflies using community science data
Momeni-Dehaghi I, Bennett JR, Mitchell GW and others. Ecology and evolution, July 2021.
Read the paper Free to read · doi:10.1002/ece3.7912
What this paper is about
Where overwintering monarchs came from is usually inferred backwards, from isotopes in butterflies caught in Mexico. That only equals the premigration distribution if monarchs from every origin survive the journey equally well.
This study mapped the premigration distribution directly from public sighting records instead.
Summarised here from the abstract below. Not the authors’ words.
Abstract
Knowing the distribution of migratory species at different stages of their life cycle is necessary for their effective conservation. For the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), although its overwintering distribution is well known, the available information on premigration distribution is limited to the studies estimating the natal origins of overwintering Monarchs in Mexico (i.e., postmigration data). However, the premigration distribution and the natal origins of overwintering Monarchs can be equivalent only if we assume that migrating Monarchs have the same mortality rate irrespective of their origins. To estimate Monarchs' premigration distribution, we used data reported by community scientists before Monarchs start their fall migration, that is, before migration mortality, and controlled for sampling bias. Our premigration distribution map indicated that Minnesota, Texas, and Ontario are the states/provinces with the highest abundance of Monarch in North America. Although this higher estimated abundance can be related to the large sizes of these states/provinces, this information is still important because it identifies the management jurisdictions with the largest responsibility for the conservation of the premigration population of Monarchs. Our premigration distribution map will be useful in future studies estimating the rates, distribution, and causes of mortality in migrating Monarchs.
Abstract reproduced from the published paper, which is licensed CC BY. Copyright remains with the authors.
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Milkweed USA. (2026). Mapping the premigration distribution of eastern Monarch butterflies using community science data (listing). Retrieved DATE, from https://milkweedusa.com/research/mapping-the-premigration-distribution-of-eastern-monarch-butterflies-using-2021/
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title = {Mapping the premigration distribution of eastern Monarch butterflies using community science data (listing)},
author = {{Milkweed USA}},
year = {2026},
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note = {Accessed DATE}
}