Tagging Monarchs

I am a teacher in Pennsylvania, and my students and I love learning about butterflies. We heard that some people tag monarchs. How does that work?

—Joyce Nolt, Manheim, Pennsylvania

Tom: Scientists have tagged monarchs for several years now to learn more about their migration routes. It tells them how long it takes the monarchs to get to their destination in Mexico or California, and also provides information on their survival throughout the journey. Tagging monarchs is very easy and only requires a small paper tag bent over the leading edge of the wing. The tag will have information about where the monarch came from, the date and probably the address or phone number of the person who tagged it.