Texans everywhere are snapping bluebonnet photos left and right, posing their children for perfectly curated shots among the blooms. Adorable as those photos may be, it turns out our state flower serves a much bigger purpose: attracting monarch butterflies. Record-breaking swarms of these beautiful insects are headed straight for Texas this spring, and it promises to be a breathtaking spectacle.
This spring, an estimated 300 million monarch butterflies will make their way through Texas. That number is up nearly 150% from last year.
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Researchers are thrilled because the monarch population has been steadily declining for quite some time. The upcoming surge is promising, suggesting a possible comeback of the species.
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Our state flower is partially to thank for this incredible phenomenon. Bluebonnets are known to attract monarch butterflies, and we’re currently experiencing the largest bloom in decades.
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Milkweed is another plant the insects are drawn to, and it grows abundantly in Central Texas. Conservationists in the area are urging people to avoid mowing over the crop, and students at A&M have been laying down milkweed gardens.
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Are you excited for this once-in-a-lifetime phenomena? Get your cameras ready!
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Flickr/pmillera4
Flickr/usfwsmidwest
For more butterflies in Texas, check out You’ll Want To Plan A Day Trip To Texas’ Magical Butterfly House.
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