Recent experiments have found that monarchs with redder forewings flew greater distances than monarchs with less intense colors.

There have been some recent studies have demonstrated that under controlled laboratory conditions the ambient  temperature during larval

development can influence the color of monarch wings. It seems that females raised in warmer conditions had a greater proportion of

melanin-based colors on their forewings giving them a darker reddish hue. When males raised under the same temperatures had a lower

proportion of ‘melanization’. These melanin-based colors have been found to increase the monarchs flying ability.

The butterfly forewing coloration may provide an advantage for flight because more heavily pigmented wings absorb more solar radiation and this will

allow a butterfly to fly at low temperatures than a lighter colored species

In general southern male monarchs were more saturated than northern male monarchs. Which is very good for the southern males because recent experiments

under captive conditions have shown that males with more saturated wing color are more successful at mating than less saturated males

We know that in general females fly farther than males. Now it seems that redder monarchs, regardless of their sex can fly farther than monarchs that are not as colorful,

and the reddish females with thicker wings are the best aviators of all.