A group of butterflies is officially called a kaleidoscope. Isn't that fun?! Sometimes they are referred to as a swarm. Groups of caterpillars are called an army.
By Valerie Haggerty
At night, monarch butterflies gather in tree clusters. A cluster of butterflies is called a roost.
Why do monarchs roost? One hypothesis is that roosting behavior is an anti-predator strategy. Cool temperatures paralyze monarchs, making them vulnerable to predators. A roost provides safety in numbers. When overnight temperatures are warm, monarchs may not aggregate as tightly or roost at all. Perhaps monarchs shift to roosting behavior when cold overnight temperatures make them vulnerable.
By Brenda McClure
Make a Direct Donation
Bee a champion of our work by making a direct donation to our parent organization: The Monarch Society.
The Monarch Society
P.O. Box 54952
Oklahoma City, OK 73154
How are you helping the monarchs?
From sculptures to gardens, Oklahomans are taking action to raise awareness about monarchs and provide much needed habitat.