Monarch butterflies are a species of butterfly known for their distinctive orange and black wings. They are famous for their long-distance migrations, with populations in North America traveling thousands of miles to overwinter in Mexico or California. Research on monarch butterflies often focuses on their population dynamics, migration behavior, habitat requirements, and conservation efforts to protect their declining populations. Scientists study the impact of habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and other factors on monarch populations and work to develop strategies to mitigate these threats. One of the most well-known aspects of monarch butterfly research is the tagging and tracking of individual butterflies to study their migration patterns and better understand their movements and behavior. Conservation efforts for monarch butterflies often involve the planting of milkweed, the only plant on which monarchs lay their eggs and the primary food source for their caterpillars. Scientists also work to establish protected areas and promote sustainable land management practices to support monarch populations.