Monarch Butterflies Are Making Their Way to Chicago,Here's How to See Them

CHICAGO -- In the next four months, Chicagoans might see four generations of monarch butterfliesin their midst.

The first butterflies should be arriving within city limits, said Elizabeth Howard, founder anddirector of Vermont-based Journey North, a nonprofit site that tracks their migration. Thosebutterflies will lay eggs and die, two more generations will live about a month each before layingeggs and dying, and, finally, a fourth generation will embark on a multi-thousand-mile journey totheir winter grounds in Mexico.

Justin Breen discusses the insane butterfly migration:

"They have very short lives, and most people don't realize that," Howard said. "All their energy goestoward laying eggs. One female will produce hundreds of eggs."

Butterflies live only about a month. Four generations will be in Chicago this year. (Journey North)

Attracting the butterflies is rather simple, Howard said. The females are attracted to milkweedplants because that's the only place they'll lay eggs, and males hang out around milkweed becausethat's where the females are. Monarch caterpillars also only eat milkweed.

Adult monarchs also will feed on nectar from a variety of flowers, and additional gardening tips canbe found here.

The life of a butterfly is a lot shorter than many people think. (Journey North)

"It's amazing how well they can find a garden," Howard said. "Even if you're in a city, it doesn'tmean they won't find you."

Howard encourages to people to share their butterfly sightings on the map below because it helpsmonitor the insect's population.

"We always want people to report what they see," Howard said.

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