Biology
The Genetic and Behavioral Basis of Migration in Monarch Butterflies
Quick fact
The fall migration of monarch butterflies is a genetically encoded behavior: the migratory generation is born with a built-in time-compensated sun compass that uses the angle of the sun plus an internal circadian clock to maintain a southwestern heading toward Mexico.
Why this is interesting
Every autumn, millions of monarch butterflies fly up to 4,000 kilometers to a tiny forest in Mexico—a journey their great-grandparents began. How does a butterfly that has never made the trip know exactly where to go?