Why tag?

[blazing star]

I've been searching for information on the reason for tagging butterflies that are released but cannot find anything. I haven't been tagging as I don't care to add extra weight (albeit miniscule) to the butterfly's trip. Is there scientific data collected from tagging or is this just for the person releasing the butterfly to achieve some sort of gratification?

[Mona Miller]

There is scientific data collected from the data. Migration data is collected every year. Tags are found along the way, in Mexico and in other countries. They have even been found in Cuba.

http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/tag.htm
Recoveries!!!
(Second Paragraph)
"What do we do with the data? All of the recoveries are viewable online. We also analyze the recovery data to test hypotheses concerning Monarch orientation and navigation. These analyses will be summarized on the web site subsequent to the publication of the articles in scientific journals."

[blazing star]

Thanks, Mona. I looked at the Migration and Tagging but didn't see those sub tabs that would have answered my question. I'll review. Thanks!

[Paul Cherubini]

"What do we do with the data? All of the recoveries are viewable online. We also analyze the recovery data to test hypotheses concerning Monarch orientation and navigation. These analyses will be summarized on the web site subsequent to the publication of the articles in scientific journals."

The raw tagging data has never been published and may never be just as happened with the Urquhart tagging program, hence the data - which dates back to 1992 - will not be available for the public or other scientists to see and independently analyze. Example: while recoveries have been posted, no information has been (or is planned to be to my knowledge) provided about how many butterflies were tagged by a certain tagger at certain location and date, sex of the butterfly, etc. So the rest of the scientific community is unable to independently analyze the raw data to determine crucially important imformation such as what percentage of fall migrants tagged in Minnesota are recaptured in Mexico vs. New Jersey vs. Texas, etc or how successfully reaching Mexico correlates with the date of tagging at different locations. Also, there are serious errors in the Monarch Watch tag recovery database so the information in it is not always accurate. Example: the database lists records of fall migrants recaptured in Mexico that were tagged in November in the New England States (it is, of course, impossible for a monarch leaving New England in late October or November to fly to Michoacan, Mexico).

Swallowtail Farms, on the other hand DID disclose all their raw data information in their migration study: so anyone can independently analyze it http://www.swallowtailfarms.com/pages/e ... s_mms.html

[chanceychelsey]

Why do you say it is impossible for a Monarch tagged in the northern part of the country in late October or November to make it to Mexico? Would this travel not be possible if the temperatures and food sources were adequate?

Waystation 927
Tottenham, Ontario

P.S. I just yesterday released my last 7 in Hamilton. The temps were 15 celsius and sunny. Goldenrod and wild asters are still in bloom. Today it is 16 and sunny/cloudy.

[blazing star]

Maybe Monarch Watch keeps some of the data private, or only shares such data with certain relevant scientists, as they are trying to avoid subjective views of the data? It's very clear that there are those that may try to use the data to support their own views when those view aren't necessarily based on reliable evaluation of the data. I can't speak for sure that this is what's occurring. It's just a thought I have.