Monarch butterflies linger on Mississippi’s Cat Island instead of migrating to Mexico

CAT ISLAND, Miss. (WLOX) - Hundreds of Monarch butterflies are lingering on Cat Island instead of continuing their migration to Mexico, prompting a Mississippi State University researcher to investigate the unusual behavior.

Dr. Holley Muraco’s Coastal One Health team is studying the butterflies to understand why some are choosing to spend winter on Mississippi’s barrier islands rather than completing their traditional migration.

“My study is taking a look at habitat use and health of the monarchs that are utilizing our barrier islands,” Muraco said. “One of the things we believe could be happening is that some of the monarchs are choosing to spend the winter here on our marshes and on our islands instead of migrating to Mexico.”

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