In 1974, a group of third-grade students from Dennis School in Decatur came up with the idea of naming the monarch butterfly the official state insect in Illinois. The idea took hold, and the following year, legislators made the proposal official.

Monarch butterflies, recognizable by their orange and black shades, are attracted to prairies and grasslands due to the presence of milkweed, making Illinois a natural habitat for the insect. Females lay eggs on the milkweed, and the resulting caterpillar feeds on the plant until becoming a butterfly.

Unfortunately, the amount of milkweed found along edges of roadways and farm fields in Illinois has fallen nearly 60 percent since 1999. This drop in milkweed is thought to be caused by increased farming of open lands and a general decrease in the amount of open grassland areas. Mowing practices that eliminate the weed along roadways is also thought to be a factor. Scientists are still studying the problem and determining what steps can be taken to increase the butterfly population.

Monarch butterflies fly south for the winter, escaping the cold winter months and reaching as far south as Mexico City.

Learn more:
Illinois State Symbols and their history: Monarch Butterfly
Where did they go? Environmental threats shrink the number of Illinois' beloved state insect, the monarch butterfly – Illinois Issues