Monarch butterflies change migration route to avoid hurricane

Embattled monarch butterflies faced an extra hurdle in this year's migration; torrential winds and rain cause by Hurricane Patricia which crashed into Mexico on Friday.

As a result, the monarchs, unique among butterflies for the regularity and breadth of their annual migration, diverted from their usual route and found refuge in ravines in Nuevo Leon state in northern Mexico, conservation authorities said on Monday.

Patricia, one of the most powerful storms on record packing 165 mph (266 kph) winds, carved a swathe through relatively remote parts of rural Mexico last week.

"When they started to feel the humidity from . . .