In the early 1960s, a band was developed, attachable to the main forewing vein, with the creature's emergence origin. The band does not interfere with flight. Specimens were tracked and recorded from Canada to Mexico and from there back to Canada. Some flew the full trip both ways!

Exact location of the Mexican winter brood site remained unknown for many years. Until its discovery, banded Mexican specimens were caught in other Mexican locations north of the winter home.

The western North American population migrates west across the Rockies, to forests around Pacific Palisades, California, up to about 1500 miles.

Lepidopterists Society members capture and report all banded monarchs. When you net one, you must aim the net well above the milkweed flowers from which it draws nectar. They "hop" from force of air from the approaching net, and if the net is aimed at it, you will miss.