"Not All Who Wander Are Lost" is a common saying that you hear around the geocaching community these days. But is can also be said about a specific species of butterfly. The Danaus Plexippus butterfly is often referred to as "The Wanderer".
The coordinates for this cache will take you to a habitat area that is being preserved to help the Danaus Plexippus survive during the summer months before it migrates from it's North America locations to it's winter habitat in central Mexico, an astonishing trip of over 3,000 miles.
This particular butterfly goes through four generations in one year. Three of the generations only live a few weeks in the northern regions, but the fourth generation will migrate over 3,000 miles south and hibernate there during the winter months.
Migration is very strenuous for this generation, which lives much longer than the other generations. Individuals who hibernate all winter look thin and tired. During the winter, while they rest and conserve their energy, the biochemicals that make them indigestible begin to break down, and some are eaten by mice and birds.
Threats to this abundant and popular butterfly species comes from habitat loss, destruction of it's preferred host food plant, and use of insecticide sprays. Loss of it's preferred environment has significantly reduced populations in some areas.
Please do what you can to preserve this habitat area, here and in your own home area, and help this popular butterfly survive.
BYOP and please replace as found.