Flutter & Discover Facts!
- Their bright orange and black wings tell birds, “Do not eat me; I taste terrible and will make you sick!”
- Every autumn, monarchs fly thousands of miles across New Mexico to spend the winter resting in the warm forests of Mexico. However, tagging studies have confirmed that at least some New Mexico monarchs travel west to California rather than south to Michoacán.
- Monarchs use the position of the sun and a special internal compass to find their way without getting lost.
- Monarch caterpillars are incredibly picky and will only eat the leaves of the Milkweed plant. Can you find the Milkweed plant in The Backyard at the Children’s Museum?
- Milkweed leaves contain a sticky, toxic juice. The caterpillars eat it up, which makes the insects poisonous to predators for the rest of their lives.
- When a caterpillar turns into a chrysalis, it looks like a shiny green jewel decorated with a neat row of gold spots.
- By planting native milkweed and colorful flowers in your yard, you can create a happy rest stop for hungry monarchs flying through New Mexico.
- When they land on a plant, special sensors on their feet let them “taste” the leaves to make sure it is a safe, yummy spot to lay their eggs.
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High Desert Helpers is sponsored through the Trails+ Grant Program by the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division.
