Monarch Butterfly: profile of a species at risk

About the Monarch

The Monarch is one of the best-known butterfly species around the world. In Canada, it can be found in all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador. The Monarch relies on milkweed plants for breeding and is found where milkweed grows.

Monarch eggs are cream or white-coloured with ridges running from top to bottom. They are the size of a pencil tip and are usually laid singly on the underside of milkweed leaves. As a caterpillar, the Monarch is distinctively white, yellow, and black-banded. It transforms into a large, showy butterfly with orange and black wings, bordered with white spots.

Annual migration

Unlike most butterflies, the North American Monarch populations migrate.

In North America, the Monarch is divided into eastern and western subpopulations based on where they migrate. Western Monarchs breed in southern British Columbia and migrate south to spend the winter in coastal California. Eastern Monarchs breed from Alberta to Nova Scotia and migrate south to spend the winter in the mountains of Central Mexico.

The Monarch typically begins its migration southward in late summer or fall and returns to Canada in May or June, depending on the location. Although the average lifespan of the Monarch is 2 to 6 weeks, the migrating generation can live up to 7 months through the fall and winter. Individual Monarchs leaving Canada in the late summer or fall are not the same Monarchs that return in the spring. In some cases, the Monarchs that arrive in Canada in the spring could be 2 generations younger than those who left the previous fall.

Why the Monarch matters

The Monarch is a pollinator. As the adults feed on flower nectar, they transfer pollen from one flowering plant to another. This fertilizes the plants so they can produce seeds and fruit. Without pollinators, many crops and wildflowers would not exist. Protecting Monarch and their habitat contributes to the conservation of biodiversity, the health of ecosystems, and the overall well-being of Canada's natural environment.

Why the Monarch needs help

North American Monarch populations have declined considerably in recent years, causing concern for the survival of the species and its annual migration.

There are many threats to the Monarch and the plants upon which they depend in Canada, although the severity of some of the threats is uncertain. These threats include:

• Loss of breeding habitat and sources of nectar (for example, milkweed and wildflowers) across the species’ range due to agricultural intensification.
• Insecticide use and the increased use of herbicides reducing milkweed availability
• Climate change and extreme weather events

What Canada is doing to help the Monarch

The Government of Canada listed the Monarch as an endangered species under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) in December 2023. This provides legal protection to the Monarch on federal lands^{Footnote 1} in Canada. This means that on federal lands in Canada, it is automatically prohibited to:

• kill, harm, harass, capture, or take an individual (an individual includes any developmental stage of the Monarch — eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, and adults — whether living or dead)
• possess, collect, buy, sell, or trade an individual or any part or derivative of such individual
• damage or destroy the residence^{Footnote 2} of one or more individuals

In other words, it is illegal to kill, hurt, or catch a Monarch (or Monarch caterpillars, eggs or chrysalises) when you are on land owned and/or administered by the federal Government of Canada, which includes National Parks, National Wildlife Areas, military bases, First Nation reserves, and federally owned or administered land.

As the Monarch is an endangered species, the Government of Canada must prepare a recovery strategy and one or more action plans for the species to outline the work that can be done to conserve the species. Critical habitat necessary for the Monarch to survive and recover in Canada must also be identified in the recovery strategy.

The Government of Canada is working in partnership with conservation organizations, researchers, First Nations and Indigenous organizations, agricultural representatives, provincial governments, and citizen scientists to help the Monarch. The Government of Canada also works with the United States and Mexico to coordinate research, monitoring and habitat conservation.

Are tagging and rearing activities affected by the Monarch’s protection under SARA

“Tagging” involves putting stickers on the wings of adult Monarchs to monitor migration patterns. “Rearing” means raising Monarch caterpillars in captivity.

A SARA permit is required to undertake tagging activities for Monarch on federal lands, as well as keeping, raising (rearing) and releasing Monarch on federal land. You can learn more about SARA permits and agreements by visiting ECCC’s permits and agreements webpage.

Tagging and rearing activities for Monarch found off federal lands are not included under the federal SARA protections. However, if you plan to tag and rear Monarch on non-federal land, please be aware of any provincial rules or regulations that may apply before participating.

Public outreach

The Government of Canada supports public outreach and engagement related to the Monarch including the Mission Monarch program, a network of citizen scientists across the country who gather data on Monarch and milkweed distribution and abundance to improve our understanding of Monarch in Canada and throughout North America.

Conservation programs

The Government of Canada has provided support and funds for projects that benefit the Monarch and its habitat. Projects include activities like habitat creation and restoration, education, and public outreach. They all share an overall objective of conserving Monarch.

If an individual or community has ideas for projects that could benefit the Monarch or its habitat, please consider participating in the following initiatives:

• The Government of Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk provides funding for certain conservation projects that contribute directly to the recovery objectives and population goals of species at risk
• The Ecological Gifts Program provides a tax benefit to landowners who donate ecologically sensitive land or an interest in land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations
• The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk supports the development of Indigenous capacity to participate actively in the implementation of SARA
• The SARA Consultation, Cooperation and Accommodation Project facilitates Indigenous communities’ and organizations’ participation in the SARA listing and recovery planning processes

How you can help

Plant native milkweed or create a pollinator garden

Milkweed is generally the only plant on which Monarch will lay their eggs, as well as the only plant Monarch caterpillars will feed on. Planting milkweed that are native to your region among other local pollinator-friendly plants in your garden or yard to contribute to natural diversity and help create habitat for the Monarch.

Non-native milkweed species could harm the local ecosystem. When planting milkweed, be sure to know if any municipal or provincial rules apply.

Adult Monarch needs a variety of native wildflowers to provide the nectar for food.  Planting species of plants that flower at different times through the season ensures that nectar is available to Monarch throughout their time in Canada.

Seeds or seedlings of milkweed, native plants and wildflowers are often available at local garden centres or native plant societies. Find more about how to make the perfect pollinator garden or download a Canada planting guide for your region.

Refrain from removing milkweed in your garden, yard, or marginal crop lands

It is also important to keep native milkweed levels from declining. The removal of existing milkweed can reduce habitat availability for Monarchs. You can support or create Monarch and pollinator habitat by allowing sites to regenerate naturally by reducing mowing or mowing within certain dates. For general mowing guidance during the period when the Monarch is in Canada, visit the Canadian Wildlife Federation mowing calendar. On federal lands, a SARA permit may be required for mowing when Monarch is present. Visit ECCC’s permits and agreements webpage for additional information.

Avoid using pesticides

Refraining from or reducing the use of pesticides is another way to help the support the Monarch. Herbicides can harm milkweed and flowering plants that Monarchs depend on for survival. Other pesticides can contribute to the decline of Monarchs and other non-pest species of plants, insects, animals, and birds.

Become a citizen scientist and monitor Monarchs in your area

Programs such as Mission Monarch and Mission Monarch Expert call on butterfly enthusiasts and volunteers to head outdoors in search of Monarch eggs, larvae, caterpillars, and butterflies, as well as milkweed plants. Sightings can be reported on the Mission Monarch website and will make a valuable contribution to science and Monarch conservation.

For a list of volunteer opportunities in Monarch science, visit the Citizen Science Portal. You can also participate in the Monarch monitoring program Journey North.

Get involved within your community

Educational workshops, Monarch counts and blitzes, and Monarch habitat creation are just a few of the many activities you can take part in to help conserve Monarch. Reach out to local conservation organizations to see how you can help!

Some existing community-based Monarch conservation programs include:

• Monarch Teacher Network of Canada
• The Butterflyway Project
• Mayor's Monarch Pledge