The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of nature’s most remarkable migratory species. Its life cycle is a multi-stage journey that begins with an egg laid on a milkweed plant. Once hatched, the caterpillar (larva) feeds on the leaves of the milkweed, growing rapidly before it undergoes metamorphosis. After pupating in a chrysalis, the butterfly emerges in its adult form, ready to begin the next phase of its life. Monarchs are famous for their incredible migration, traveling thousands of miles from North America to central Mexico for the winter. This long-distance migration is not only a remarkable feat of endurance but also a mystery, as no single butterfly completes the entire journey—each generation contributes to the migration cycle. Unfortunately, monarch populations are in decline due to habitat loss, climate change, and a decrease in milkweed plants, which are essential to their life cycle. Efforts to protect their habitats and restore milkweed populations are critical to ensuring their survival.