| Keyword |
Description |
| Hibernate |
To sleep deeply during winter to save energy and survive the cold |
| Travel paths |
The routes or roads that butterflies follow when they move from one place to another |
| Deforestation |
When trees and forests are cut down and destroyed, leaving less land for animals to live on |
Monarch butterflies are famous for their fantastic migration, traveling thousands of kilometers from the United States and Canada to Mexico every winter. This year, scientists used new GPS technology to track 500 tagged butterflies from Lawrence, Kansas. These butterflies flew over 4,000 kilometers in 43 days, crossing multiple U.S. states and entering Mexico through Tamaulipas. Their final destination was the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán, where they hibernate among the unique oyamel fir forests.
The tracking devices used, called BluMorpho transmitters, are solar-powered and weigh only 60 milligrams. What makes them special is that they connect to regular smartphones and computers, unlike older tracking models that need special equipment. The tags were attached with an adhesive that doesn’t stop the butterflies from flying normally. With these tools, researchers can now study the butterflies' exact travel paths, how far they fly, when and where they rest, and how their journeys are affected by changes in climate.
Sadly, scientists are finding fewer butterflies reach Mexico each year to hibernate. The main reasons are habitat loss and droughts that make their migration tougher. By studying the GPS data, experts hope to discover the most dangerous spots along the route. This could help them protect key areas better and come up with solutions for environmental problems like deforestation or water shortages.
Anyone can follow these butterflies online using the Project Monarch app, available on most phones. With this technology, some butterflies have even been recorded traveling through the Caribbean and Veracruz. Monitoring migration helps scientists and people around the world understand how important these insects are and what can be done to save them for future generations.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Fantastic |
Fantástico |
| Equipment |
Equipamento |
| To hibernate |
Hibernar |
Time to discuss
- Why is it important to track monarch butterflies during their migration?
- What problems do monarch butterflies face on their journey?
- How could technology help save more butterflies in the future?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Describe how GPS technology has changed our understanding of monarch migration.
- Explain why it’s important to protect butterfly habitats and what could happen if we don’t.
