Monarch Watch Forums

by **Jim** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 12:59 pm

Monarch sightings for the West South Central region of the United States (AR, LA, OK, TX) - 2004 to 2008.

by **Melanie Golden** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:19 am

I am sorry I did not know about this forum earlier. However, it looks like no one in this area has posted anything anyway. Hope this is helpful to someone...
Spotted my first Monarch August 1st on milkweed in my garden. By August 6th my 6 year old granddaughter and I collected 23 caterpillars.
As of today, September 6th, I have released over 100 butterflies, heading west. Still have a dozen chrysalis left. Unfortunately I ran out of tags. I have never reared over 50 before.

by **sally** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:46 am

One lonely monarch Sept. 5, 2004 in Allen Texas

by **Sharon** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 10:32 am

I spotted my first Monarch September 7th. It floated in on the gentle North wind as it came in.
Sharon

by **marilyn** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 12:06 am

Odd year. I've seen few Monarchs around southeastern Oklahoma, yet I had so many caterpillars on my milkweed (12 mature Asc curassavica--tropical milkweed) that every leaf was devoured. I've had over 100 hatch. When I was in Tulsa this past week I saw quite a few around the milkweed at the Tulsa Garden Center, but no larvae. I do worry about the newly hatched finding anything to lay their eggs on.

by **gstlb** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 1:25 pm

one, interested in my lantana.

Buda, Texas (15 mi south of Austin)

by **selzner** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 2:49 pm

Thursday, Sept. 23, around noon, spotted a Monarch near Swan, Tx. (just northwest of Tyler, Tx.)

My son also spotted a couple of Monarchs at Lee High School in Tyler, around some lantana in a garden there. That was last Tuesday, Sept. 21.

by **Robin7218** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 4:59 pm

Saw a monarch in my yard laying eggs on Monday 27 Sept and another laying eggs in a huge milkweed patch in a vacant lot on Padre Island.
Gathered as many eggs as it could find. Have 35 eggs, also raising 53 pupa and 18 caterpillars. Good thing there is lots of milkweed growing around here!

by **sarahsears** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 1:18 pm

We've seen a few the last couple of days.. but all day we have had Monarchs flying through the backyard. We're going to go out to the nature park and see if we can find more.

I'm so glad I found your site - I just hopped online to find out where the Monarchs came from and where they were going.

This is so cool!

Sarah & Chip Sears
Isabelle (5)

(University of Kansas Alumni - Rock Chalk Jayhawks!)

by **ringo** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:29 am

Monarch's spend sveral nights every year about this time in the pecan trees in my back yard during migration to Mexico. Yesterday 10-05-06 late evening I noticed about 100 flying in the back yard and attaching in clusters to lower branches for the night. Most years they number to a thousand or more. Expect to see more numbers in next few days.

by **Paul Cherubini** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:08 pm

I was driving around in west Texas Oct. 3-5 and noted 1000's of monarchs flying and clustering in the Abilene region:

http://www.saber.net/~monarch/abilene10-5.jpg

http://www.saber.net/~monarch/abilene10-3.jpg

http://www.saber.net/~monarch/potosi10-5.jpg

http://www.saber.net/~monarch/potosi.jpg

In Sept. I also traveled extensively in Minnesota, Iowa, eastern Nebraska and eastern Kansas. I found that Iowa and southern Minnesota had the highest concentration of monarch caterpillars:

http://www.saber.net/~monarch/larvaelakota.jpg

and Iowa had the highest concentration of adult migrants:

http://www.saber.net/~monarch/massena.jpg

http://www.saber.net/~monarch/tenville.jpg

http://www.saber.net/~monarch/fontanelle.jpg

http://www.saber.net/~monarch/redoak.jpg

which is perhaps ironic because Iowa and southern Minnesota are also the regions where Bt corn and Roundup Ready soybeans are widely grown and have been widely publicized as a threat to monarchs:

http://whyfiles.org/083isotope/4.html
http://www.populist.com/99.6.roundup.html

by **tracyhusch** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 9:58 pm

I have had several monarchs on my zinnas in Arlington,Texas all week long,Oct.3rd thru today Oct.7th. Lots of swallowtails too.

by **jenny** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 3:25 pm

We have property along the San Saba River between Mason & Menard, Texas where the 2nd weekend in October is usually the ultimate time. This past weekend there were quite a few flying in and roosing in the elms and live oak trees - we were able to tag 56 before it got too dark. Hope to see more as the next cold fronts come through.
Jenny

by **Melusine13** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:28 pm

Thousands of Monarchs spent the night up in the trees, next to the cattle tank on Friday, October 15th. This is in south Texas, Carrizo Springs. All vegetation is native so they must be nectaring au natural.

by **sgore** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:53 am

Sunday I went out to check on my brocolli plants and saw a Monarch on my butterfly weed, later I checked and I had quite a few eggs on two plants. Tuesday I saw another Monarch and the third plant now has eggs. I had not seen a Monarch since July.

by **ccullar** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:13 am

I tagged 14 this morning from the trees west of my house [12 mi. N of Eagle Pass in Southwest TX. 15 sighted and I was able to net all but one who got away. Oddly enough there were 10 males and only 4 females.

Carol

by **CristyW** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 2:16 pm

My mother saw info about this site and a request for monarch sitings. She doesn't have interenet access so asked me to post her siting for her:

Sited Oct. 24th near Cherokee, Texas, (hwy 16, San Saba Co.) a group of over 50 monarchs in a field of yellow flowers.

by **Klaus Adam** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 12:59 pm

Numerous Monarchs passed through the Gatesville, Texas area yesterday. The weather was great and they stopped to feed wherever there were blossoms. Heading SW in their flight.

by **CristyW** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 2:24 pm

We have numerous Monarch caterpillars on a plant out back (I think it is a Mexican milkweed). We live in Belton, Texas (cen TX, N of Austin)

by **rezac** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 6:34 pm

two butterflies observed sitting tail to tail on a vertical stem on the same plant. Zilcher Botanical Garden Austin TX. No other butterflies observed nearby. These two were quiet and relatively inactive. 11/09/04 approx. 4pm

by **rezac** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 9:41 am

Went back the next morning. ELP 928 and 929 weren't observed, but saw ELP 927 in the Rose Garden. How can I find out where these were initially tagged?

by **alison18** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:40 pm

rezac wrote: ELP 928 and 929 weren't observed, but saw ELP 927 in the Rose Garden. How can I find out where these were initially tagged?

I think you have to wait until all of the tagging datasheets are turned in to find out where the monarchs were initially tagged.
I just wanted to let you know, I tagged ELP927 on November 9th at
Zilker Gardens.

by **sgore** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 3:40 pm

Checked my milkweed yesterday evening and had the first eggs since last October. I saw a Monarch on my front porch this morning and checked the milkweed and had even more eggs.

by **suze-q** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:09 pm

Hello. I am new to this sight, but I would like to report that I (actually my 5 1/2 year old daughter) found our 1st Monarch caterpiller about 7 to 9 months ago when we moved onto our new place -- which is in Dike, Texas (80 miles east of Dallas). Since we are new we have no tags, but will try to get into that this year because today (4/25/05) she found our 2nd Monarch caterpiller. We kept the 1st one until it turned into a butterfly and then we released it as we will with the 2nd one. Her school does a whole thing on Monarch's were they raise them and then release them and her teacher asked if I had milkweed growing on my place. We went in search and found several plants I am checking the leaves for eggs and the ones with no eggs are being donated to her class. I also learned that on my place I have Green Antelopehorn Milkweek which (I think) is very pretty.

by **Caroline_05** » Sun May 01, 2005 6:36 pm

I currently have approximately 10 cats and probably 200-300 eggs. They are in my enclosure and I'm waiting for my first chysalis. We saw our first Monarch around April 7, 2005.

by **Caroline_05** » Sun May 01, 2005 6:38 pm

Forgot to say I'm in Houston, Tx in the near north west just north of downtown.

by **Cat Lady** » Mon May 02, 2005 6:08 pm

Near I.H. 10 & Beltway 8, Houston

Noted 18-20 cats on single milkweed plant 3-28-05. Found 2 pupae on the eaves of the house and 5 more on the leaves of the butterfly iris adjacent to the milkweed. Six successfully "launched." Hope the other cats found different sites.

Purchased additional milkweed plants and have seen 3 more cats since. Latest single pupa hatched Saturday 4/30.

Have 6 milkweed plants now - need to get more!

by **sgore** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:20 pm

I just went out to my backyard and spotted a Monarch hovering over my milkweed, she flew away so I checked the milkweed plants and saw a few eggs. Maybe she would have laid more if I hadn't scared her away, will check back later for more eggs, maybe she will come back. It amazes me how fast they lay the eggs and it seems they don't even land on the plant.

by **sgore** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:25 pm

Last Sunday I released about 7 Monarchs and Monday about 7 more, today I sat on the porch and watched Monarchs buzz all over the place. They were enjoying my orange Cosmos and Mimosa blossoms from my Mimosa Tree. I guess they stayed in the area.

by **jemas** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 3:49 pm

I'm releasing newly emerged Monarchs in Medina Co., TX. One yesterday and will probably have 10 out by the end of the day. I have 18 more chrysalides. And there's a couple more caterpillars I found to raise. The other day after the cool front there were quite a few Monarchs passing through western Bexar Co. Good to see them!

by **Harlen E. Aschen** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:59 am

Jim, would it be possible to clean out the posts from last year and
let the sightings begin now for the fall of 2005? It would make
it easier to check what is happening if the two migrations and
different years aren't allowed to chain together. Might be more
house cleaning than I am thinking that it will require. But consider
it ... thank you for your hard work.

by **Paul Cherubini** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 10:17 pm

I respect Harlen's views, but I personally wouldn't want to see any prior information and posts deleted. I like the forum just as it is right now. In the years ahead a nice searchable archive of information from all the posts over the years will accumulate.

by **Susi** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:16 pm

Several monarchs flying around my house past few days. Many just this morning. Located in Abilene, TX

by **David and Carolene** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 12:17 pm

Our town ( Enid, Ok) has a beautiful garden that has many flowers that Monarchs enjoy. We noticed some have been tagged and we photographed them. One is tagged GEJ 627 and one GEJ 625. Both from KU.
I don't know a lot about butterflies but this has made me more aware.

by **lollipop_620** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:37 pm

We have about 15 monarchs in our Buttefly Bush. I took my 3year old to look at them when we noticed the tag. The number was GNJ946. This is an awesome way to connect with my family and nature.

by **joannabai** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:57 pm

It was a beautiful day today south of Dallas. My children and I were out shopping and saw lots ( at least 100) Monarchs all headed South for the winter. I have never seen that many butterflies. It was beautiful!!! :shock:

by **Snouffie** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:24 am

Thousands upon thousands of Monarchs (all sizes) through the mid section of Texas the weekend of October 9, 2005 from Santa Anna !16 miles west of Brownwood) to Eden, to Junction and then tapering off around Ft. Stockton.............the skies were full of them in Sonora and Ozona!

by **anjarae** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:42 pm

watched for two hours last evening, prior to sunset and again this morning, as groups of monarchs, several hundreds in all,continued their journey south towards San Antonio. They were high in the sky, we are located at about 990 ft. elev. the butterflies were quite a bit higher yet. It was just thrilling to see them. I've raised cats and released the butterflies in another state in previous years, but to actually see them in migration was awesome.

by **Leland22** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 8:53 pm

We had our first cold front on 10/6 and saw monarchs catching the high north wind. I have seen lots this week. I live east of I-35 near Salado or north of Austin about 60 miles. They usually come throught here about the 10th-15 of October each year.

by **jemas** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 11:07 pm

We saw some Monarchs in a natural area just opened in western Bexar Co. today. They were roosting in trees and would take off and fly when cars passed by. Also saw a couple of butterflies close to where we live. And I'm raising some at home (Medina Co.). Between caterpillars and chrysalides, there's about 40 of them.

by **Snouffie** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:44 am

Occasionally a few Monarchs in by backyard this weekend but nothing compared to the Sonora-Ozona area.

by **jemas** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:54 am

I think it would be helpful if the most recently posted were listed first instead of last. Just a suggestion.

by **sgore** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:32 pm

A small monarch has been flying around the neighborhood. My neighbor had eggs on his Butterflyweed yesterday and today I went out in the back yard and there was the small buttterfly and she was laying eggs. Does anyone know if this is rare for this area near Houston, Texas in January. We are having very warm weather for this time of year.

by **Paula** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:47 am

Monarch Tag #GML 079 Trying to locate Human Person kind enough to tag Monarch & Release GML079. Found in Hammond, Indiana [northwest Indiana 25 miles southeast of Chicago] alive & feeding on South American A.curassavica milkweed for most of day during early migration/Fall. I identified Tag number using close-up camera lens after many hours of soft stalking to identify. Anybody know this Monarch tagged GML 079 or have you seen since between Indiana & Mexico?

by **jasmon** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 6:25 pm

Today, a Monarch was flitting among several milkweed plants on my patio. It was not nectaring so after if flew away I checked the plants and found 14 eggs. There are probably more than 14 eggs because I did not check every leaf and the eggs are easy to miss. I have only seen two other Monarchs recently at other locations. This was the first in my yard.

by **jemas** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:56 pm

I saw 3 of them today...not at my place yet, but in the general area! I feel bad because I know that the wild milkweeds are in bad shape because of the drought! But if they come by my place, they won't be sorry!

by **Mrs. Kozik** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:33 pm

I've seen 4 or 5 Monarchs the last week or so. One of our students brought me a dead Monarch yesterday. Completely intact. Colors faded. I think it got caught up in the freeze we had about 3 days ago. A large Monarch was seen behind the school today in Mesquite, Texas. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any milkweek in the usual fields yet.

by **tonjasturn** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:02 am

I started seeing monarchs all over the place around march 31st, here in arkansas. on april the 6 i spotted a large female laying eggs on my milkweed that is only about 8 inches high right now. I took pictures. there are about 50 eggs on boths my plants and i have no idea how they are going to get enough to eat!!!!!!!!!!!
Peace, Love, and Monarchs
Tonjasturn

by **Teresa** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:33 pm

My cousin in NC is having the same problem. They are laying eggs before the milkweed has grown much.

by **psi_chemie** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:29 am

I think that if there is only one or two eggs on a seedling (and no predators) that the plant will grow faster than the first few instars can eat.

I guess I'm thinking that if the monarch gets the timing right, she can lay an egg on a seedling and it that plant will be enough and grow quick enough for at least one larva.

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