Diet: Milkweed (caterpillars), Pollen (butterflies) Habitat: Migratory throughout North America CaliforniaStatus: Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Clustering To Keep Warm Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles, farther than any other insect, to overwinter in warm areas. They cluster for warmth and protection, September to March. Locally they can be seen in Natural Bridges Beach State Park, Lighthouse Field and in the trees behind the Museum.
In 2020, the number of monarchs overwintering in California dropped to less than 0.01% of the historic levels. For every 2,250 monarchs there were 30 years ago, there is only one left flying today. You can help increase monarch populations by supporting the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation’sWestern Monarch Action Plan priorities based on where you live.
For those living within 5 miles of the Central California Coast:
Protect and restore overwintering habitat, such as the monarch grove at Natural Bridges State Beach
Plant pesticide-free native nectar plants
Do NOT plant milkweed (Asclepias spp.), none of which are native to the Central Coast
For those living in Central and Southern California, west of the Sierra Nevada range and more than 5 miles from the coast:
Protect and plant pesticide-free early season native milkweed, such as narrow leaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis), and nectar plants
