Millions of monarchs migrate to
California and Mexico for the winter.
roughly 2 millimeters to between 25 and 45 mil-
limeters, all thanks to a hearty diet of milkweed
leaves. Once fully grown, it will then enter the
pupal stage, during which it hangs upside down,
sheds its skin for the final time and becomes a
plant-like chrysalis for the next week or two. As
the monarch’s metamorphosis is completed, the
chrysalis changes colors and a brilliant butterfly
emerges, able to fly only a half hour later.
Adult monarchs tend to have two roles: to
reproduce, or to feed on nectar and store up
energy for migration. While some butterflies will
be able to do both, others will use up their energy
during the reproduction cycle, sacrificing them-
selves for the betterment of the colony.
Those suited for migration have a biological
adaptation that helps them survive. Scientists
believe this gene allows them to consume less
oxygen while in flight, ensuring their energy lev-
els stay high on long journeys. But this genetic
modification is only a piece of the mystifying
migration puzzle.
FLYING AGAINST THE WIND
Despite the elements that help the monarchs on
their journey, they also face plenty of challenges;
one such issue being climate change. Monarchs
can’t fly unless it is at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit,
and also struggle when their wings are wet. As
temperatures and weather patterns grow increas-
ingly unpredictable, the areas where these delicate
creatures can thrive become more restricted.
But the main thing affecting the species is a
lack of milkweed. In addition to being the only
edible plant for monarch caterpillars and a source
of nectar for adult butterflies, it’s the only place
where females will lay their eggs. It also plays an
important biological role: The toxins in milkweed
seep into the exoskeletons of the caterpillars as
well as the wings of the butterflies, making them
both poisonous and bitter tasting to predators.
The decline in the amount of milkweed
available both locally and globally can likely be
attributed to urbanization. “That plant would,
in the past, have occupied a lot of the unplowed
FLUTTER-BY ABUNDANCE
While these winged insects are less plentiful than they once were in Southern California, there are still many
different species that call Orange County home.
blue and vivid red mark-
ings on the tail and dorsal
An orange sulphur butterfly
wings make the great pur-
ple hairstreak an exciting
species to spot. It tends to
Naked brood
Dog Bistro
Laguna
near in its
larval Beach
food
plant, a parasitic mistletoe
that grows on California
sycamore trees in moist
canyons and streambeds.
Orange Sulphur
These vibrant yellow or
orange butterflies are
active year-round. Often
found in alfalfa fields,
they also frequent San
Clemente’s San Mateo
Campground as well as
Irvine Park in Orange.
Western Giant Swallowtail
The largest of any butterfly
species in the country, its
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larvae can be found feed-
ing on rue plants and citrus
trees from San Clemente
to Huntington Beach. The
sleek, black insect has
diagonal bands of yellow
spots as well as defined
tails and antennae.
Behr’s Metalmark
These larvae feed on buck-
wheat, which is typically
where this species is found.
Prominent from March
through November in south
Orange County, especially
Laguna Beach and Coto
de Caza’s Thomas F. Riley
Wilderness Park, these low
flyers have orange mark-
ings mixed with white spots
atop their brown wings.
Great Purple Hairstreak
Though primarily gray-
brown in color, iridescent
Funereal Duskywing
This skipper butterfly is
present in Orange County
throughout most of the
year, and is attracted
to plants like deerweed,
alfalfa and black sage as
well as minerals found in
mud or streams. Though
it lacks the vibrant mark-
ings that many of the
other species have, the
brown-black funereal
duskywing is rather unique
in the sense that it seeks
out disturbed areas, like
those covered in weeds or
where fires have occurred.
JA
Mourning Cloak
A bold brown-black
species, the mourning
cloak’s wings have a
yellow border and a small
row of blue spots. One
of the most common
butterflies in the region,
and also visible all year, it
is often spotted in places
with willow trees as well
as the likes of Sherman
Library & Gardens and
Upper Newport Bay, both
in Newport Beach.