The presence of **monarch butterflies** doubled in the 2024-2025 season in **Mexico**, reaching 1.79 hectares of forest in three colonies within the **Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve** and five more outside of it.
This represents a **99% increase** compared to the previous season, [despite the challenges of climate change](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/el-impacto-del-cambio-climatico-en-los-fenomenos-meteorologicos-extremos-genera-cada-vez-mas-muertes/), announced Pedro Álvarez Icaza, National Commissioner of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp).
## Celebration and warnings regarding monarch butterflies
In a joint press conference, authorities from **Conanp** and **WWF** celebrated the increase in butterfly occupancy; but warned that in the coming cycles there will continue to be fluctuations in **butterfly occupancy in Mexico**, associated with climate changes and variability.
“I think it’s good news, as we are talking about a 99 percent increase, and the interpretation is that we must continue to make efforts, not let our guard down, conservation **efforts are working** and we must be very attentive to the effects of climate change,” mentioned Jorge Rickards, general director of WWF Mexico.
He emphasized that, in the face of **climate variability**, it is necessary to develop climate change adaptation plans. In addition, facing **disagreements between the United States, Mexico, and Canada** over tariffs, environmental authorities highlighted that monarch conservation programs are protected. Work is even being done on updating the **trinational Action Plan** and on a new monarch butterfly occupancy target.
## How long do monarch butterflies live?
In addition to their great beauty, this insect is characterized by its **resilience and longevity**, as while [other butterfly species](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/descubren-un-nuevo-genero-de-mariposas-en-los-andes-andinoia/) have a lifespan of 24 days, the monarch can live up to nine months, that is, 12 times longer.
Taking advantage of these characteristics, the monarch butterfly **is capable of traveling over 4,000 kilometers** (from Canada and the United States of America) to the oyamel forests in the states of Michoacán and Mexico.
Every year, between October and March, monarch butterflies find the ideal conditions in Mexican forests to **develop and mate**: altitude (2,300-3,500 meters above sea level), temperature, humidity, and exposure to **sunlight**, among others.
They travel around 120 kilometers per day and make their journey in about 33 days. At the end of March, when they **reach maturity**, they begin their journey back to northern countries.
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