Monarch Butterflies Delayed in Reaching Mexico Due to Warming Climate

As of October 29th, 2025, the first of this year's southbound monarch butterflies are just now arriving at their overwintering grounds in central Mexico, with some still yet to pass through Rogers County. Local native wildlife educator Kelly Boegemann and Rogers County Master Gardener Kay Alexander are urging residents to consider growing the plants monarchs need to survive - milkweed and asters.

The monarch butterfly population has declined drastically over the last decade due to habitat loss, the use of herbicides and pesticides. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature now considers them a threatened species, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a rule change last December to match this designation.

To help the monarchs, Boegemann and Alexander recommend planting native milkweed and asters. Milkweed is the only plant monarch caterpillars can eat, while the adult butterflies rely on asters and other native flowers for nectar to fuel their long migration. Alexander has been growing multiple varieties of milkweed for the past nine years and maintains a crop at the Claremore Museum of History.

Historically, most monarchs would have already reached their Mexican breeding grounds by this time of year. But as the climate has warmed, the butterflies have been taking longer to complete their journey, lingering and feeding on nectar along the way. Boegemann says there is still time to plant asters that the late-arriving monarchs can utilize.