Monarch butterflies use the Earth’s magnetic field and a ‘sun compass’ in their antenna as navigational tools for their long-distance migration, scientists say.
Monarchs use a time-compensated sun compass in their antenna to help them make their long-distance migratory journey to overwintering sites, researchers found.
Each year millions of monarch butterflies use a sophisticated navigation system to transverse 3,218 km from breeding sites across the eastern U.S. to an overwintering habitat in specific groves of fir trees in central Mexico.
Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Worcester Polytechnic Institute found that monarchs use a light-dependent inclination magnetic compass to help them orient southward during migration.
During the absence of daylight cues, such as under dense cloud cover, migrants have been, surprisingly, seen flying in the expected southerly direction.
You have reached your limit for free articles this month.
Subscription Benefits Include
Today's Paper
Find mobile-friendly version of articles from the day's newspaper in one easy-to-read list.
Unlimited Access
Enjoy reading as many articles as you wish without any limitations.
Personalised recommendations
A select list of articles that match your interests and tastes.
Faster pages
Move smoothly between articles as our pages load instantly.
Dashboard
A one-stop-shop for seeing the latest updates, and managing your preferences.
Briefing
We brief you on the latest and most important developments, three times a day.
Support Quality Journalism.
*Our Digital Subscription plans do not currently include the e-paper, crossword and print.
A letter from the Editor
Dear subscriber,
Thank you!
Your support for our journalism is invaluable. It’s a support for truth and fairness in journalism. It has helped us keep apace with events and happenings.
The Hindu has always stood for journalism that is in the public interest. At this difficult time, it becomes even more important that we have access to information that has a bearing on our health and well-being, our lives, and livelihoods. As a subscriber, you are not only a beneficiary of our work but also its enabler.
We also reiterate here the promise that our team of reporters, copy editors, fact-checkers, designers, and photographers will deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Suresh Nambath
Please Email the Editor