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Insects have complex neural mechanisms that guide them from location to location. These include
centers that stimulate migratory behavior, provide a sun-compass to tell direction, store a map, and
neural pathways that help correlate the compass with map location.
Although much has recently been found concerning how insects find their way, there are many
questions still unanswered. Among these are:
Why do monarchs in the Northeast often congregate in the tens of thousands move to coastal dunes
and feed on seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) while other tens of thousands stop in salt
marshes and feed on Eastern groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia) - even though seaside
goldenrod may be available at the same site? It may be possible that the butterflies obtain some
essential nutrients feeding in groundsel then continue to the dunes to obtain other nutrients from
the goldenrod before continuing their migration, but this type of local movement has not been
reported.Why do monarchs in the Midwest bypass large colonies of flowering asters (a primary food
source for this region) to descend en masse on nearby colonies of the same species?Answering
questions like these will take some time, but they are important factors to take into consideration as
our tendency to develop "wastelands" continues. If these factors are not heeded, insect migration
paths will continue to be disturbed - possibly to the point where these important members of our
environment are no longer able to make their grand scale migrations.
Other information on insect migration is on page 1.
http://suite101.com/neurology-of-insect-migration-and-navigation-a161764
Click here for more information.