Monarch Butterflies adapted from US Forest Service

The annual migration of North America's monarch butterfly is a unique and amazing phenomenon. The monarch is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do. Unlike other butterflies that can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or even as adults in some species, monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates. Using environmental cues, the monarchs know when it is time to travel south for the winter. Monarchs use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances. Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home! Monarchs in Eastern North America have a second home in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. Monarchs in Western North America winter in California.

2

Which choice best summarizes the passage?

A.

Monarch butterflies are rare in the fact that they are the only butterflies that are like birds, making a round-trip migration. Monarchs are unable to survive cold winters, and therefore, travel south, some as far as 3000 miles to California or Mexico.

B.

The migration of the North American monarch butterfly is an amazing phenomenon. They use environmental cues to know when it is time to travel south for the winter. They use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances to California or Mexico.

C.

Monarch butterflies are special because they are the only known butterflies to travel south for the winter. Some travel as fare as 3000 miles to reach their winter home.