(by Vanessa Johnson)

The monarch butterfly population has faced significant declines since the early 1990s, prompting extensive conservation efforts across the U.S. While traditional adhesive tags have provided some insights into migration patterns, the Motus Project is revolutionizing research with its lightweight nanotags. This global migration tracking system utilizes a network of radio receivers to detect these nanotags, enabling researchers to gather detailed data on migration routes, speeds, and behaviors. In 2024, New Hampshire Audubon intensified its commitment to monarch conservation by deploying 21 nanotags to better understand the migratory behavior of Danaus plexippus.

Preliminary observations from this year’s tagging efforts have revealed intriguing behaviors, including a westward migration pattern. Notably, preliminary data suggest one monarch recorded a remarkable 600 miles in just four days, a daily average of 150 miles, which challenges established migratory data. Wind patterns and mid-September weather conditions likely influenced these trajectories, allowing butterflies to harness thermals and favorable tailwinds. As New Hampshire Audubon continues to analyze these data, we will share our findings, furthering our understanding of monarch behavior and informing vital conservation strategies.