Monarch butterflies arrive in Coahuila for annual migration

Monarch butterflies have begun their annual migration into Mexico, with the state of Coahuila serving as a primary entry point. Sightings have been confirmed in several municipalities, including Múzquiz, Acuña, Monclova, and Cuatro Ciénegas, following their crossing from the United States.

To track the migration, researchers and citizens are utilizing the Project Monarch mobile application. Developed by Cellular Tracking Technologies in collaboration with the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center, the tool allows users to detect signals from butterflies equipped with ultra-lightweight solar transmitters via Bluetooth. This technology helps scientists reconstruct migration routes, including speed, direction, and resting sites.

In Coahuila, the Profauna México Royal Mail Program has already documented sightings in the northern and central parts of the state. The international project aims to equip more than 2,000 monarchs with transmitters by 2026 to better understand the movement of the species toward their hibernation forests in Michoacán and the State of Mexico.