The monarch butterfly migrates for a number of reasons. It appears that they are genetically programmed to fly northward in the spring and southward in the fall. They must migrate in the fall to escape killing temperatures in the north. As well, flowering plants die so there is no food source for them. There are a number of techniques used for maintaining a colony of monarchs.
Many scientists keep individuals in refrigerators in various types of envelopes.
The butterflies will stay alive, but not move very much. They are taken out periodically to warm up and feed. Some types of birds eat monarch butterflies, particularly in California and Mexico. Hence, some camouflage might be useful. And from a veterinarian parent, Dr.