Background:

Animal migration has a direct relationship to the cyclical pattern of the earth's movement. Animals such as the early bison, California gray whale, and insects migrate to complete life cycles. These migrations are based on their need for feeding grounds as well as their ability to mate and produce young in appropriate temperature zones.

The migration of the monarch is an interesting one because compared to its size it has been known to travel far distances. Some butterflies make migrations as far as the Hawaiian Islands from mainland U.S.A. According to scientists with the Encinitas-based Monarch Program in California, which studies the monarch's migration pattern, "...in the past few years, the number of the Western Monarch butterflies coming to California has dwindled alarmingly in 1994." Scientists have no explanation for the decline, but are hoping that it is cyclical.

The North American Monarch travels in the fall to the Midwestern regions and in winter to the high altitude fir forest of Mexico's Sierra Madres. Many travel a journey as far as 2,000 miles with an average speed of12 miles per hour. The Sierra Nevada Monarch winters in groves of the eucalyptus, pine and cypress in southern California, making a return trip northward in spring, with most of their offspring bred along the way. This completes the circuit.

Concepts:

All living things follow the patterns of various cycles and cyclical rhythms. Organisms can tolerate some variation in the things they need in order to survive (light, temperature, water, nutrients), but they do best under certain conditions. Information about the environment is collected by all organisms which helps them to adapt to local or temporary conditions.

Purpose:

Track the routes and study the life cycle of monarch butterflies as their migration relates to seasonal changes.

Objectives:

Students will:

Identify the monarch when compared to other butterflies.

Understand the life cycle of a butterfly by direct observation of butterfly metamorphosis from eggs to adult insect.

Classify and compare the monarch group with other butterfly groups.

Track the seasonal migration patterns of the monarch on a map.

View a laserdisc showing pictures of monarchs and other butterflies.

Materials:

Butterfly eggs

Resource insect books

Desk maps of the U.S.

Laserdics (Bio Sci, I) Optical Data and laser player

Drawing paper and markers with related art supplies.

Investigation:

Why do animals migrate? Where do they go?

Procedures:

1. Students order butterfly eggs from Insect Lore (note the time of year they can be ordered).

2. Set up butterfly housing according to instructions included with the eggs.

3. Students make daily observations and write them in science journals.

4. Students note changes and make predictions as to what will happen when the pupa emerges from its chrysalis.

Collaborative Group Activities:

1. Read Eyewitness Book: Butterflies and Moths.

2. Trace the migration of the monarch on the map. Label its migration direction during the season. Is this a typical butterfly migration pattern? How is it like bird migration? Why?

3. Create a large map by using an opaque projector and the desk map of the U.S., and retrace the migration showing calculated distances for both directions.

Whole Class Activity:

Students will draw or create a model that demonstrates the life cycle of the monarch to include with the large map.

Conclusion:

Why do animals migrate? What other animals migrate besides butterflies and birds? (Caribou, whales, salmon, wildebeest) What causes these animals to know when to begin migration? (Change in amount of sunlight during a day)

Assessment:

In small groups, students will discuss their projects and maps as they share projects in a class science convention using the investigative question.

Extensions:

Math:

Calculate the time it would take a monarch to reach Mexico if it traveled 2,000 miles at the average speed of 12 miles per hour without resting.

Geography:

Use this map to track the migrations and miles traveled for the monarch butterfly. You may choose more than one group of monarch.

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