As the days are getting cooler and shorter, more and more monarch butterflies are starting their big migration to Mexico, where they will spend the winter before heading northward in the spring.
Those that migrate south from the Adirondacks are known as the super generation because other generations of monarchs only live for four to six weeks. The super generation can last the winter in Mexico and make it to about Texas on their way northward. From there, the shorter lived generations take over for the journey back to the Adirondacks. It takes about two or three generations to get here.
Above are some photos of the super generation from the Paul Smith’s College VIC that will soon be leaving for the big journey south in the coming days. The monarchs will be tagged and released this weekend before the butterfly house closes on September 3.
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Adirondack Monarch Butterfly Tag Found in Mexico
Paul Smith’s VIC Butterfly House
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