Fall is an important season for butterflies at Desert Botanical Garden.
As temperatures drop in North America, monarch butterflies begin a remarkable migration in search of warmer climates. Covering up to 3,000 miles, this journey is one of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom, and Arizona is a particularly special place to see monarchs in the fall.
Some monarch butterflies migrate to the coast of California for their overwintering sites, while others travel to the Sierra Madre mountains in Central Mexico, and a small number even spend the winter in the low deserts of Arizona.
The incredible fall migration is completed by a single generation of monarchs. These migratory monarchs can live up to nine months, while most non-migratory monarchs only live two to four weeks. In the late fall, as temperatures are cooler and days are shorter, monarchs will shift focus from reproduction to migration. This shift in energy allows for their survival through the winter months, when they will roost in trees, slow down their bodily functions and only occasionally fly to drink water or nectar.
Year after year, monarchs begin arriving at their overwintering sites in early November. Their arrival in Central Mexico is a breathtaking display that holds deep cultural significance for the region. Their arrival lines up perfectly with the well-known Día de Muertos celebrations. Día de Muertos is a Mexican tradition dedicated to honoring and remembering loved ones who have passed away. It’s a festive occasion that pays tribute to loved ones with dance, music, food and an altar with a photo of the deceased, as well items they cherished.
Monarchs play a special role in these celebrations and symbolize the souls of the departed returning to visit their loved ones. Decorations and altars often feature images of monarch butterflies as they beautifully represent the connection of life and death. The Garden celebrates both butterflies and Día de Muertos in the fall with its Fall Butterfly Exhibit, Majestic Mariposas, and Día de Muertos festival.
In addition, monarchs are often spotted fluttering around the trails of the Garden during this season. Active research being done by the Garden in partnership with the USA National Phenology Network has shown that monarch butterflies are often active in the low deserts of Arizona all winter long. This means you may see monarchs both breeding and overwintering at the Garden this fall and winter. This unique behavior makes Arizona a very special and important place to create and preserve monarch butterfly habitat. You can help the Garden collect data on monarch butterflies by joining our Desert Refuge project.
Majestic Mariposas is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Sept. 21 through Nov. 10. The Garden’s Día de Muertos altar will be on view from Nov. 1 through Nov 3, with the festival taking place on Nov. 2-3. Both experiences are included with general admission. Purchase your tickets at dbg.org.
