If I asked you to name a type of butterfly, what picture and name would come to mind? Of the most common varieties in North America the Monarch Butterfly's awareness impact is pretty high. They are big (up to 4 inch wingspan), colorful (bright orange and black with white spots), and famous for their annual migrations.

What is the only insect that doesn't cause you to hide inside when they are swarming your neighborhood? Who helps the bees and hummingbirds pollinate the flowers? The Monarch Butterfly.

While many species of birds migrate during seasonal periods, researchers believe that the Monarch is the only actual "migratory" insect. Other butterflies, moths, and insects may be seen in large numbers making a big trip, but almost always they are in search of food, not to escape climatic conditions.

The winter migration takes millions of Monarch Butterflies thousands of miles, from Canada and northern portions of the United States, to the coastal regions of California and Texas, and mostly to the mountains of central Mexico. The Monarch's truly incredible feat is accomplished like clockwork every year, on the same dates, and to the exact same locations, and return in the spring.

OK ... that's downright amazing ...

But consider these caveats. This isn't done by Grandpa leading his offspring. It's accomplished by a new generation that has never been there before. To top that off, this generation starts the return trek back north in the spring, stops to mate and lay eggs on milkweed plants, but then they all die of old age. After a few days a new generation become caterpillars which transform into adults who continue the expedition north. This process repeats for a couple more times before the annual cycle is complete. Are these guys concealing some sort of top secret GPS system?

Monarch Butterflies are pretty incredible!