10 Insects That Migrate Thousands of Miles
Insects rarely get credit for endurance, yet some of the smallest creatures on Earth pull off migrations that rival birds and mammals. These trips are tightly timed, biologically programmed movements tied to weather, food, and the need for survival. Many of these insects never even finish the full journey themselves and pass the route along to the next generation like a relay race. Here are the insects that log thousands of miles each year.
Monarch Butterfly
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Their bright orange wings make this migration easy to spot, but the numbers behind it are staggering. Monarch butterflies travel about 2,500 to 3,000 miles between southern Canada, the northern United States, and central Mexico. They fly 50 to 100 miles per day using wind currents to save energy. The individuals heading south enter diapause, which delays reproduction and stretches their lifespan to as long as nine months. The round trip spans four to five generations, since no single monarch lives long enough to complete it.
Painted Lady Butterfly
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Painted lady butterflies pull off one of the most widespread insect migrations on Earth. Some populations travel from North Africa into Europe, covering more than 9,000 miles across multiple generations. Radar studies have tracked them flying at high altitudes to catch fast-moving air currents. Their caterpillars feed on over 300 plant species, which helps explain how they survive such a wide range.
Green Darner Dragonfly
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This dragonfly migrates 500 to 600 miles between the southern United States, Mexico, and the Midwest. Individuals can fly up to 87 miles in a single day. The journey is split across three generations each year, with adults laying eggs and dying before the next leg begins. Unlike many insects, green darners migrate both north and south annually.
Globe Skimmer Dragonfly
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Also known as the wandering glider, this species undertakes the longest known insect migration over open water. Globe skimmers have been recorded traveling from India to East Africa, a route of about 11,000 miles across generations. They time their movement with monsoon winds, which allows them to cross the Indian Ocean. Scientists confirmed this route using genetic data from distant populations.
Bogong Moth
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Each year, billions of bogong moths fly up to 620 miles across Australia to reach cool alpine caves. These moths use the stars and Earth’s magnetic field to orient themselves at night. Indigenous Australians historically relied on bogong moths as a seasonal food source. When summer ends, the moths return to breeding areas to lay eggs and die.
Army Cutworm Moth
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This moth migrates from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, covering distances of up to 700 miles. The adults spend the summer hiding in high-elevation rock crevices to escape the heat. Grizzly bears depend on these moths as a high-fat food source, sometimes eating tens of thousands in a single day. The moths return east to reproduce when temperatures drop.
Desert Locust
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Under crowded conditions, desert locusts undergo physical and behavioral changes that trigger mass migration. Swarms can travel up to 90 miles in a single day as they ride the winds across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. A single swarm can consume the same amount of food in 24 hours as 35,000 people. Rainfall patterns and vegetation growth drive these movements.
Silver Y Moth
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The silver Y moth migrates between North Africa and northern Europe, covering a distance of up to 1,200 miles. It flies at night and uses favorable winds to increase speed. Radar studies show these moths can reach altitudes of over 3,000 feet. Their caterpillars feed on crops, thus making their arrival noticeable to farmers.
Brown Planthopper
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This rice-feeding insect migrates seasonally across East and Southeast Asia. Individuals can travel more than 1,000 miles using monsoon winds. Brown planthoppers are serious agricultural pests that can wipe out entire rice fields. Their migration allows rapid population spread across multiple countries in a single growing season.
Red Admiral Butterfly
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Red admirals migrate between North America, Central America, and parts of Europe, depending on the local population. Some individuals travel over 2,000 miles in a single season. Unlike monarchs, they do not survive cold winters; instead, they rely on continual movement. Their migration patterns shift year to year in response to temperature and food availability.