Natural History Wanderings

AYDINHABER reported

Among the many marvels of animal migration, one ability remains the most elusive: a magnetic compassthat can sense Earth’s invisible field. While birds, sea turtles, and even some fish have shown hints of magnetic navigation, a definitive, universally accepted example has been missing—until recent work with the monarch butterfly.

For years, researchers have documented the monarch’s astonishing long‑distance journeys across North America, guided by the sun, the wind, and even the scent of milkweed. Now, a series of laboratory experiments and field observations suggest that these iconic insects may also be tapping into the planet’s magnetic signature.

Read more In Pursuit of the Monarch’s Magnetic Sense