An Olympian feat: The amazing odyssey of the monarch butterfly
When the Olympic flame arrived at Milano San Siro Stadium on February 6th, it was the culmination of a remarkable journey. The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece on November 26th, then travelled to Athens for a handover ceremony. Once the flame arrived in Italy, more than 10,000 torchbearers carried it nearly 7,500 miles across all 110 Italian provinces.
A monarch butterfly in flight. Photo by Janet DiMattia
Sure, it was impressive. But some might say the journey of the Olympic flame can’t hold a candle to the epic multi-generational migration of the monarch butterfly.
And while we cheer on the spectacular athletes at the Milano Cortina Olympics, let’s take a look at the almost unbelievable life cycle of this beautiful fluttering insect, which deserves a gold medal for pure grit.
On a wing and a prayer
While most folks are familiar with the migration of birds, where an individual animal can travel thousands of miles, monarch butterflies need several generations to get the job done.
Each spring, females lead the northeastern monarch butterflies north from Mexico into parts of Texas where they lay their eggs. This first generation lives 2-6 weeks as adults, flying north as far as they can. The second generation continues the journey, lays eggs, and dies. The third and fourth generations hatch through the spring and summer, finishing the journey north.
Monarchs arrive in Massachusetts in late June into July, and appear to be arriving earlier with more frequency. In the fall, a special “super generation” hatches and flies south, all the way to the Oyamel forests in Mexico, making stops along the way.
The amazing migration of the monarch butterfly. Harwich Conservation Trust graphic
The lengthy voyage of this super generation is truly mind-boggling. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service describes it this way:
“Imagine the journey — flying more than 3,000 miles to Mexico, not knowing where you can rest or where you will have your next meal. The sun is your guide on daily flights, traveling about 50 miles each day. You often catch free rides on thermal air currents, sometimes flying a mile high. When rain splashes down, the wind blows strong or your body temperature drops below 86 degrees, you are unable to fly.”
Monarchs and milkweed
Monarchs and milkweed plants have evolved to rely on each other. The milkweed relies on the adult butterfly for pollination, and the caterpillars eat the leaves of the milkweed plant that are filled with a milky white sap. This sap, while harmless to monarchs, is toxic to potential predators including birds and other wildlife.
It’s an adaptation that helps the monarch butterfly survive. Instead of trying to hide from hungry birds and animals, the butterfly’s bright markings act as a warning for predators to keep their distance.
Milkweed has been planted at Pleasant Bay Woodlands by the Harwich Conservation Trust to create habitat for monarch butterflies. Harwich Conservation Trust photo
Since the caterpillar of the monarch butterfly only eats milkweed leaves, they are essential for survival. Happily, there are seven milkweed species in Massachusetts. But as the land changes and is developed, this crucial food source has been lost, threatening their success. Monarch populations have dropped as much as 70 percent over recent decades, and this familiar visitor to summertime meadows is in danger of becoming a memory.
If too much monarch habitat disappears, this beautiful butterfly could vanish from our backyards and meadows. Together, we can help monarchs thrive by supporting Harwich Conservation Trust’s (HCT) land-saving efforts. You can also make a difference in your own yard by adding milkweed and other native plants to establish a pollinator friendly landscape.
HCT pitches in to help monarchs
Increasing native plant populations to help pollinators is an important part of HCT’s work. Our recent eco-restoration projects at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve and the Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Preserve included the addition of thousands of native plants that provide habitat for wildlife.
In June 2025, HCT staff and volunteers, led by Gerry and Karen Beetham, planted a new pollinator garden at the entrance to the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve. The effort was launched with the goal of providing habitat to vulnerable butterflies, including monarchs, swallowtails and skippers.
Harwich Conservation Trust volunteers install a pollinator garden at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve in Harwich Port. Harwich Conservation Trust photo
The plants were sourced from the Native Plant Trust, a Massachusetts-based non-profit plant conservation organization that focuses on New England’s native plants.
An ongoing meadow restoration project at HCT’s Pleasant Bay Woodlands is providing increased habitat for monarch butterflies. Part of the effort required the planting of milkweed, which can be tricky to grow from seed, so HCT embarked on a milkweed propagation program. Now, three varieties: common milkweed, swamp milkweed and butterfly milkweed are gaining a foothold.
HCT is also offering a great opportunity on Feb. 28 for folks to learn more about how they can help monarch butterflies in their own backyards. Our Winter Talks series concludes with a program you won’t want to miss:
A Cape-friendly Landscape: Discovering the Nature Connection
Presenter: Kristin Andres
Saturday, February 28th, 1 to 2 p.m.
Location: 204 Cultural Center Auditorium (204 Sisson Road, Harwich)
Admission is $5 per person, payable at the door.
A monarch butterfly on a swamp milkweed plant. APCC staff photo
Join Kristin Andres, Director of Education & Outreach for the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), the Cape’s leading science-based environmental advocacy nonprofit, and learn how gardens and yards offer exciting opportunities to support nature. Find out how our how plant choices and lawn care practices can make a big difference for local pollinators, birds, and butterflies.
Monarch butterflies will appreciate your thoughtful approach, and you’ll love the beautiful results — use your green thumb to be a good steward!
Photo gallery: Enjoy these fabulous monarch butterfly images, captured by HCT volunteer photographers Gerry Beetham and Janet DiMattia. It’s a great way to remember that summer is coming!
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—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.