The monarch butterfly is currently proposed to be listed as "threatened" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, and keeping monarchs at the forefront of the public's mind is incredibly important to continue keeping the public engaged in conservation efforts.

The monarch butterflies being used are not currently being bred. They come from 7 different genetic lines in reproductive diapause that are currently overwintering under similar environmental conditions found in monarch overwintering sites.

These monarchs are currently 3 months old, and the conditions of this event will mimic one of the warmer days in the overwintering sites in Mexico. In winter while in diapause, there are few nectar sources so they are living off lipid reserves in their bodies. On warmer days, they fly around at overwintering sites and may nectar from the few flowers available.

Other butterflies such as painted ladies emigrate in colder months to warmer areas where their host plant is present to continue breeding throughout the year. An agar-based diet composed of dehydrated host plant material, proteins, and supplemental nutrients has been developed for this species, making it widely available for educational purposes where state laws prohibit the shipment of untreated plants across state lines.

Swallowtails and cabbage whites overwinter in their third stage of development, the chrysalis phase. These butterflies do not migrate and reside here in Wichita, KS year round. A handful of these butterflies may be seen on the Butterfly Bus to inspire spring plantings of native host plants. In celebration of Kansas Day, this incredibly unique event aims to spread information about the plants and Kansas ecosystems that these butterflies depend upon.