1. Monarchs in Canada & Point Pelee National Park

2. Butterflies in Canada There are approximately
300 different species of butterflies in Canada
Morning Cloak (Nymplalis antiopa)
White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis )
Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
Viceroy  (Limenitis archippus)
Photos: Parks Canada

3. Butterflies at Risk in Canada
Evaluated by the “ Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada ”, there are 28 different species of butterflies in Canada identified as “ Species at Risk ”. They have special protection status under Canada’s Species at Risk Act and include: Weidemeyer’s Admiral, Karner Blue and Taylor’s Checkerspot.
The Monarch butterfly is a Species at Risk because of the threats to the migratory phenomenon. Examples of threats are disappearance of overwintering habitat, predation and, herbicide and insecticide use in breeding habitats.
Photo: Parks Canada

4. The Monarch is the most commonly known of all butterflies

5. Range of Monarchs in Canada (all stages of the life cycle)
Canadian Range
Western Population
Eastern Population
Erratically, common
Rarely
Occur regularly
Scarce
Maritimes occur irregularly
Southern ON & QC annually, often in abundance
Map: J. Lauriault, Canadian Museum of Nature

6. Fall Migration Staging Areas in Eastern Canada
Point Pelee
National Park
Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area
Long Point National Wildlife Area
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Rondeau Provincial Park
Map: J. Lauriault, Canadian Museum of Nature

7. Point Pelee – A Funnel for Migration
Image: Parks Canada

8. The shape of Point Pelee National Park, jutting out into Lake Erie, makes the national park a prime stopover for many migratory species of insects, birds and bats

9. Point Pelee National Park is also rich in biodiversity, which provides habitat and food sources for migratory species, including the Monarch

10. every province in Canada
Milkweed in Canada
Milkweed is found in
every province in Canada
except for Newfoundland and Northern Canada: Nunavut, the North West Territories and the Yukon
Common Milkweed
Photos: J. Lauriault, Canadian Museum of Nature
Swamp Milkweed

11. Distribution of Milkweed in Canada
Milkweed is found mainly in southern regions of Canada
Map: J. Lauriault, Canadian Museum of Nature

12. Monarch in the classroom
Selective Feeders
Monarch larvae feed exclusively on milkweed worldwide.
There are approximately 230 different kinds of milkweed worldwide.
There are 14 native species in Canada.
Monarch in the classroom
Photo: J. Lauriault, Canadian Museum of Nature

13. Transformation
It takes approximately 30 days to transform from egg to caterpillar to butterfly

14. Point Pelee National Park of Canada
Canada’s Southern Sanctuary
Point Pelee National Park is a prime location to observe fall migration of Monarch butterflies on their way to their wintering grounds in the volcanic mountains of central Mexico

15. Trinational Cooperation
Through the North American Monarch Conservation Plan, Canada, Mexico and the United States are working together to protect Monarch populations, migratory flyways and habitat. For additional information visit
Parks Canada also contributes to this effort through various monitoring and education programs.
Point Pelee National Park conducts annual butterfly counts, rears and tags Monarch butterflies through Monarch Watch, and educates visitors with a live Monarch exhibit.

16. For additional information on Monarch migration at Point Pelee National Park, visit our website at
Photos: Parks Canada

17. PowerPoint produced by Point Pelee National Park of Canada in collaboration with Jean Lauriault, Canadian Museum of Nature