Why Monarch Butterflies are North America's insect mascot

NPR | By Alejandra Marquez Janse,

Juana Summers, Jordan-Marie Smith, Justine Kenin

Published August 10, 2026 at 4:26 PM EDT

Vann Newkirk, senior editor at The Atlantic, loves butterflies, especially monarch butterflies. He sat down with NPR's Juana Summers to dig into a trip to Mexico that helped him explore his passion.

Alejandra Marquez Janse

Alejandra Marquez Janse is an assistant producer for NPR's evening news program All Things Considered.

Juana Summers

Juana Summers is a host of NPR's All Things Considered.

See stories by Juana Summers

Jordan-Marie Smith

Jordan-Marie Smith is a producer with NPR's All Things Considered.

Justine Kenin

Justine Kenin is an editor on All Things Considered.

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