will these monarchs be migrating?

[Jeans]

hey
this is going to be my second year of tagging, so I don't really know how to tell when to start tagging. last year, it was easyer to tell because after the first generation the eggs stopped for a few weeks, then they came back for the second generation. This year, the eggs haven't really stopped, and i found about 20 today. how do i tell if these are the monarchs that will migrate? last year the first ones i found for tagging were born August 1st... was this too early? im confused!
thankyou

[Mona Miller]

http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/tag.htm
Tagging Monarchs

"When do you tag Monarchs?
As the length of daylight shortens in mid August and September, monarchs in northern latitudes, i.e. near the Canadian border, begin to migrate. Monarchs farther south will begin their journey a few weeks later. Tagging and monitoring should begin in late August in all regions, with a concentrated effort made in September and early October. A GOOD RULE: when the wild asters, especially A. novae-angliae, goldenrod and Joe Pye weed are in bloom, the monarchs are migrating. In much of the lower midwest, migrating monarchs are attracted in large numbers to a tall late blooming thistle (Cirsium altissimum) several species of sunflowers and other species of Asteraceae.
Additionally, you can determine the estimated peak of the migration in your area based on latitude:"

Find your latitude:
http://www.indo.com/distance/

http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1 ... da&place2=
This is Ontario, but the latitude finder list several locations in Ontario. Pick your location and that is your latitude.

Peak Migration Dates
http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/peak.html

[Paul Cherubini]

hey i found about 20 today. how do i tell if these are the monarchs that will migrate? last year the first ones i found for tagging were born August 1st... was this too early?

Yes, eggs being laid now in all parts of Ontario will produce adults that are in reproductive diapause that will migrate mostly to Mexico (if the caterpillars and chrysalids are reared outdoors).
We cannot fully answer your question about whether or not Aug.1 adults will be in diapause unless you tell us what city you live in or what latitude you live at. Generally, most adults born the first week of August at a latitude of 49 degrees N or higher will be in reproductive diapause and will migrate mostly to Mexico.

[donnap27]

i have had the same question i my mind. i've looked up my coordinates.
Can you advise me on the date that i should start tagging?
Latitude 42.3533 -- 42degrees 21.2min N
Longitude 85.3928 -- 85degrees 23.6min W
thank you ... you are all a wonderful source of information
Donna

[Mona Miller]

Usually during the Midpoint Peak.

http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/peak.html
Peak Migration Dates

Midpoints and peaks of the migration by latitude.

Latitude Midpoint Peak in monarch abundance
49 26 August 18-30 August
47 1 September 24 August -5 September
45 6 September 29 August - 10 September
43 11 September 3 - 15 September
41 16 September 8 - 20 September
39 22 September 14-26 September
37 27 September 19 September - 1 October
35 2 October 24 September - 6 October
33 7 October 29 September - 11 October
31 12 October 4-16 October
29 18 October 10-22 October
27 23 October 15-27 October
25 28 October 20 October - 1 November
23 4 November 27 October -8 November
21 11 November 3-15 November
19.4* 18 November 10-22 November

*This latitude represents the general vicinity of the overwintering colonies. The monarch colony at El Rosario is usually opened to the public around the 18th of November.

[donnap27]

thank you ...
guess i have to wait a while to start tagging -- i'm getting anxious
Donna

[Mona Miller]

Apparently, in my area those Monarchs tagged around the end of Sept., the beginning of Oct., are the ones that are migrating. I'm in latitude 38.

[Paul Cherubini]

i have had the same question i my mind. i've looked up my coordinates.
Can you advise me on the date that i should start tagging?
Latitude 42.3533 -- 42degrees 21.2min N
Longitude 85.3928 -- 85degrees 23.6min W
thank you ... you are all a wonderful source of information
Donna

When to start tagging depends on your tagging objective. If you want recoveries in Mexico you should begin tagging the last week of August as that is when most wild caught monarchs will be in reproductive diapause at your latitude.

[Mona Miller]

I thought the reason for tagging was to monitor the migration (beginning, during, and Mexico). For example, what routes they take to Mexico because tag recoveries are also picked up along the way after they are initially tagged.

[Jeans]

hey I live in Dunnville, Ontario, and my latitude is 42.90360 and my longatude is 79.61695.
For the "Peak Migration dates", is that just when they begin to migrate, or when to start tagging? Do the migrating monarchs stick around for a few weeks, and then migrate? or would they sort of just hatch and go? the chrysalises I have are just starting to hatch, and one hatched yesterday.... do you think I should tag her?

[Mona Miller]

It is a range. The peak is in the middle of the range.

Some of the Monarchs that are in diapause will stay around, if there are good nectar sources. They will take advantage of those to put on some weight. Migrating Monarchs have to put on fat to make it through the winter. I've had them stay a week in an area with good nectar sources. But, if a cold front comes through, that will push them south. They need a good North East wind to migrate high up, but will migrate lower if temps get too low for them. As adults they can withstand temps that go down below freezing (32 F) and even lower, down to 25 F (if they are sheltered). Getting wet and having freezing temps is deadly for them. And, that is why they have to migrate--to survive.

[Paul Cherubini]

hey I live in Dunnville, Ontario, and my latitude is 42.90360 and my longatude is 79.61695.For the "Peak Migration dates", is that just when they begin to migrate, or when to start tagging? Do the migrating monarchs stick around for a few weeks, and then migrate? or would they sort of just hatch and go? the chrysalises I have are just starting to hatch, and one hatched yesterday.... do you think I should tag her?

At Point Pelee, Ontario, which is further South than you are, some monarchs are already clustering which proves they are in reproductive diapause and will be migrating to the overwintering sites:
http://www.learner.org/cgi-bin/jnorth/j ... 1282225790
So yes you should start tagging now because some - maybe most - will be in reproductive diapause.
They may hang around a few days after tagging if the wind is from the South when you release the tagged butterflies.

[Paul Cherubini]

Latitude Midpoint Peak in monarch abundance
43 degrees north 11 September 3 - 15 September
41 degrees north 16 September 8 - 20 September

On August 17, at 42 degrees north hundreds of migrant monarchs that will be headed for Mexico were already clustering at Point Pelee, Ontario (more than two weeks earlier than the Monarch Watch's suggested range of dates that migration occurs at that latitude): http://www.learner.org/cgi-bin/jnorth/j ... 1282423486

[Mona Miller]

This information is posted from the Monarch Watch website on Migration and Tagging (http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/tag.htm). There's lots more information there. If you are tagging Monarchs, please first read how/why it is being done.

http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/peak.html
Peak Migration Dates (refer to this website for a nicer column of dates)

Midpoints and peaks of the migration by latitude.

Latitude Midpoint Peak in monarch abundance
49 26 August 18-30 August
47 1 September 24 August -5 September
45 6 September 29 August - 10 September
43 11 September 3 - 15 September
41 16 September 8 - 20 September
39 22 September 14-26 September
37 27 September 19 September - 1 October
35 2 October 24 September - 6 October
33 7 October 29 September - 11 October
31 12 October 4-16 October
29 18 October 10-22 October
27 23 October 15-27 October
25 28 October 20 October - 1 November
23 4 November 27 October -8 November
21 11 November 3-15 November
19.4* 18 November 10-22 November

*This latitude represents the general vicinity of the overwintering colonies. The monarch colony at El Rosario is usually opened to the public around the 18th of November.

(Mona's Note: Of course you know that these dates usually vary due to weather.)

[David Calhoun]

hey i found about 20 today. how do i tell if these are the monarchs that will migrate? last year the first ones i found for tagging were born August 1st... was this too early?

Yes, eggs being laid now in all parts of Ontario will produce adults that are in reproductive diapause that will migrate mostly to Mexico (if the caterpillars and chrysalids are reared outdoors).
We cannot fully answer your question about whether or not Aug.1 adults will be in diapause unless you tell us what city you live in or what latitude you live at. Generally, most adults born the first week of August at a latitude of 49 degrees N or higher will be in reproductive diapause and will migrate mostly to Mexico.

I didn't know that the migration of an individual depended on whether the cat or chrysalid was reared indoors. Can you please elaborate? Thanks in advance. David in Charlestown,IN

[Paul Cherubini]

I didn't know that the migration of an individual depended on whether the cat or chrysalid was reared indoors. Can you please elaborate? Thanks in advance. David in Charlestown,IN

The biotic and abiotic factors that play a role in inducing reproductive diapause are not fully known. So I just meant that if they are reared outdoors we can say pretty much for sure most will emerge in in a state of diapause whereas if they are reared indoors we are less certain.