Milkweed and Nectar Plant Phenology Project

29 February 2008 | Author: Monarch Watch

Coming soon to a website near you - a new project to record the phenology of milkweeds and nectar plants used by monarchs. Phenology is the term given to the study of the seasonal progression of natural events involving plants ...

Filed under Phenology | 11 Comments »

How Does Your Garden Grow?

29 February 2008 | Author: Chip Taylor

My interest in monarchs and monarch population dynamics is causing me to pay much more attention to the weather and to climates than I ever have before. Indeed, I’m now on a mission to educate those of you who might ...

Filed under Degree Days | No Comments »

Changes in the Composition of Plant Communities

29 February 2008 | Author: Monarch Watch

Plant ecologists tell us that the species composition of plant communities is going to change as climates become warmer, as carbon dioxide (CO2) levels increase, as rainfall becomes more erratic, and as nitrification (due to the use of fertilizers and ...

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Spring is Coming!

29 February 2008 | Author: Monarch Watch

Spring is coming and so are the monarchs. As the temperatures increase at the overwintering sites in Mexico from the low 60s in January to the high 60s and low 70s in early February monarch activity increases. The butterflies begin ...

Filed under Degree Days, Monarch Tagging, Monarch Waystations | 5 Comments »

Milkweed Seed Kits

27 February 2008 | Author: Jim Lovett

Our new Milkweed Seed Kit contains four (4) varieties of milkweed - the monarch butterfly's exclusive host plant. Included are the following to help you create or enhance your monarch habitat: Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) Tropical ...

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Monarch Watch Bookmarks

26 February 2008 | Author: Jim Lovett

Ron Brancato, graphic artist and monarch enthusiast, has helped us create a set of six (6) amazing monarch bookmarks. Each bookmark features a beautiful photo on the front and related information on the back. Themes include monarch conservation, monarch research, ...

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Reign of the Monarchs in Decline?

25 February 2008 | Author: Monarch Watch

The Ventura County Star recently ran an article by Zeke Barlow “Plight of the butterflies” with the subtitle “Reign of the monarchs is in decline, but no one knows reason for the drop in population”. The reasons offered for the ...

Filed under Western Monarchs | 3 Comments »

Monarch Waystation Seed Kits Available

18 February 2008 | Author: Monarch Watch

The Monarch Waystation Seed Kits for 2008 (item#125522) are now available via the Monarch Watch Shop (shop.monarchwatch.org or 800-780-9986). It is difficult to predict the demand for these kits and we have been conservative in assembling kits this season. If ...

Filed under Monarch Watch Shop, Monarch Waystations | No Comments »

Monarch Spotted “Way Up North” in 2007

11 February 2008 | Author: Monarch Watch

From time to time we receive a monarch story that is so compelling and well put together that it needs to be shared. The following account was received from Mick Callas, who was inspired to write us after having a ...

Filed under General | 4 Comments »

Monarch - Mouse Connection?

8 February 2008 | Author: Jim Lovett

Logitech, an innovative company known for its keyboards, mice, webcams and other peripherals for your digital world, has begun using the monarch butterfly in an advertising campaign for their new state-of-the-art MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse. Oddly enough, this ...

Filed under Monarchs in Advertising | 2 Comments »