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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 3:26 PM CDT

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.

Copyright 2026 NPR
Alejandra Marquez Janse
Alejandra Marquez Janse is an assistant producer for NPR's evening news program All Things Considered.
See stories by Alejandra Marquez Janse
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.
See stories by Justine Kenin
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