Catch the monarch on its migratory path

— -- The fall migration of monarch butterflies is nothing short of navigational wizardry. In September and October, these delicate orange-and-black beauties flit 3,000 or so miles — the longest migration of any insect — from parts of the USA and Canada to overwintering grounds in central Mexico. And as they make their way south, they're drawing growing numbers of admirers to butterfly festivals from Florida to Kansas to Texas.

Some of these events are focused on scientific tagging of the monarchs to chart the timing and pace of their movement; others stress education, and still others use the migration as an excuse to throw a party. Whatever the emphasis, their popularity is taking flight.

At the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in the Florida Panhandle, for instance, about 4,000 visitors are expected to attend this year's festival in October.

"The monarchs cover the bushes like an orange carpet," says park ranger Robin Will. "You can stand next to them and they're feeding and they're totally preoccupied. They don't care that you're there. I think that's why people are so captivated by them."

Organizers in Mission, Texas, also anticipate a good turnout for the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Texas Butterfly Festival Oct. 16-19, given the record 300 species, including monarchs, that participants spotted during last year's event. The festival features four day-long trips to various butterfly-rich habitats in the area. While some participants are seasoned enthusiasts, this year's offerings include an introductory tour for novices.

In Gainesville, the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida doubled its attendance when it added its Butterfly Rainforest, a 6,400-square-foot outdoor screened enclosure that is home to up to 2,000 butterflies from eight countries. It launched the October ButterflyFest three years ago, which spotlights the university's McGuire Center for Lepidoptera, the world's largest butterfly and moth research facility.