Category: Activities & Events

 The Superfantastical Monarch Journey 

The monarch butterflies fluttering about aren’t just casual flutterers. They are the  last to be born in 2025, and they are ‘super monarchs.’  

Right now, they are busy sipping up nectar they, so as to build up fat reserves in  their bodies. You see, these particular butterflies were born to do a seemly  impossible job. 

They, and millions of other super monarchs, fly 1200 miles to a fir tree  forest in central Mexico between August and November. And the continuation of their existence in the  northeastern states depends upon their safe arrival. 

These butterflies do have some ‘super powers’ to help them accomplish their  task. 

– Because of this journey, a super monarch will live far longer than the 2 to  5 weeks normal monarch butterflies do.  
– These butterflies are born with larger wings and are capable of flying 50 to  100 miles in a single day, weather permitting.  
– It is believed they were born with an internal sun compass or magnetic  compass to guide them to Central America. 
– They can fly at speeds of 5 to 25 miles an hour for 4-6 hours a day, gliding  on currents of warm air called thermals, to conserve energy when possible.  

At the end of each day of their journey, the butterflies will seek out nectar from  the flowers to fuel their next-day trip. Once that is accomplished, they will spend  the night in trees, clustered together for protection.  

It will take the monarchs who leave from Indiana 5 to 7 weeks to make the trip to  that Mexican forest Oyamel fir tree forest.  

Once there, they, and millions of other super monarchs, will blanket the fir trees  for warmth and to conserve energy. Thereafter, they will enter a state of  dormancy, allowing them to survive the winter. 

We wish all these spectacular insects a safe trip.

🦋Join us in May 2026 to celebrate these incredible creatures at our 2nd Annual Butterfly Day at the Griffith Historical Park, featuring our Monarch Waystation, the Griffith Junction Butterfly Stop.

(If you come visit our Monarch Waystation at the Depot, we ask that you do so respectfully. Please don’t touch the plants, insects, or disturb the habitat in any way. Thank you!)

photos by Jeanette Bobos and Ken Krick