The migration map shows when and where monarchs have arrived so far this spring. You can assume that female monarchs are laying eggs in those places, as long as they have milkweed.

Challenge Question #10:

• Which states do you think are the most important for producing the next generation of monarchs? Explain why.

Answer:

• The most important state for producing the next generation of monarchs is Texas because the monarchs arrive there first and in the greatest numbers. After that, the migration moves into Arkansas and Oklahoma according to the migration map. Temperatures are too cool beyond this immediate region when the monarchs arrive in March and early April and milkweed hasn't emerged. This means egg laying is concentrated in Texas, and Arkansas and Oklahoma to a lesser extent.
• Few reports of monarchs along the Gulf coast states of LA, AL, and MS makes those states appear less important. This could be true, or it could simply be that fewer monarchs are reported from those states.