Ventura, California—Monarch butterflies have returned to southern California! You may have seen them searching for nectar plants and basking in the morning sunshine.
Many know about the famous monarch butterfly sanctuaries in Michoacán and México, which give refuge to millions of monarch butterflies each year in their fir tree forests, but did you know a different population of monarch, the western monarch, overwinters right here on the California coast?
Meet the monarchs
Three distinct populations of monarch butterflies exist in the United States of America- eastern, western, and south Florida- with behavioral and migration differences.
Eastern monarch butterflies, which live to the east of the Rocky Mountains, migrate more than 3,000 kilometers from Mexico to Canada. Since most of these butterflies only live 2 to 5 weeks, this 2-month migration occurs over multiple monarch generations. In the fall, the “super generation” of monarch butterflies can live 6 to 9 months and fly all the way to Mexico to spend the winter. Culturally, the eastern monarch butterflies that arrive in Mexico at the end of October and beginning of November are celebrated and commemorated as part of of Día de Muertos.
Western monarch butterflies, which live west of the Rocky Mountains, migrate towards the California coast in the fall, overwintering in clusters on blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, and Monterey cypress trees. These are the monarchs we see here in California!
Southern Florida monarchs live in a climate that permits year-round breeding without the need to migrate.
How to help monarchs
Over 95% of the western monarch population has disappeared since the 1980s. There are many ways to help monarchs, and everyone can participate!
Plant pesticide-free nectar plants
One of the best ways to help monarch butterflies is to plant native plants during the fall that bloom during all seasons to provide nectar throughout their range.
During their migration to overwintering sites, most monarchs are not breeding, but they still need flowering nectar plants throughout their migratory habitat which provide sugars that they store for energy.
On their return, monarchs lay eggs, which means they need both nectar sources and milkweed. This habitat needs to be distributed throughout the landscape to ensure connectivity throughout their range and maximize their chances to reproduce. We can all create steppingstones for monarchs by having patches of native plants available for them outside of our homes throughout their range.
Milkweed tips
Monarch butterflies need milkweed plants, at it is the only plant they lay their eggs on. Planting pesticide-free narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) can help them with their reproduction cycle. However, if you live within a mile of the coast, avoid planting milkweed so as to not prolong their overwintering cycle!
Avoid planting tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), the red and yellow varieties of milkweed, since it is most likely to spread disease. It does not naturally die like native milkweeds, so if you have it, please cut it back in the fall to help stop the spread of disease.
Dim the lights
If you don’t need them, turn off your lights at home at night!
Artificial lighting can drastically affect the behavior of insects and pollinators, and therefore the ability of plants to produce fruit and reproduce. Artificial lighting at night also increases a nocturnal pollinator's risk of predation because they are easier to see. Their ability to see and avoid predators is also reduced by the lighting. This risk is thought to be one of the factors contributing to declines in nocturnal pollinators globally. Studies show that the presence of artificial light at night deters pollinators from their nightly routine. Some nocturnal pollinators are attracted to and disoriented by artificial light, expending precious energy and distracting them from their nighttime routines and pollination duties. Others are deterred by well-lit areas. In both cases, the result is a disruption in nighttime pollination and fewer plants producing fruit and reproducing.
Where to see monarchs near Ventura, California
Ventura
Camino Real Park
4298 Dean Dr, Ventura, CA 93003
From November to February, in the eucalyptus trees along the barranca, look for what appears to be dried leaves in the trees. They could be monarchs!
Ocean Avenue Park
1501 E Ocean Ave Ventura, CA, 93001
Behind the picnic tables in the tall eucalyptus trees, western monarch clusters can be seen during late fall and early winter.
Goleta/Santa Barbara
Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove
7559 Palos Verdes Dr, Goleta, CA 93117
Monarch butterflies migrate to Goleta every October-February. Park at the Ellwood Mesa Open Space lot (7729 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117), and follow the signs and trail for Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove. For your safety, follow all signs posted for trail closures and warnings.
