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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?