First monarch

[Pixie]

Yesterday I saw the first monarch of the season. She laid several eggs on the As. Curissavica. She was gorgeous - now I wonder if she was the offspring of a north migrating monarch as it is way too early for the southern migration here in St. Louis.............
Dottie (Pixie)

[lloyd thomas]

I saw my first (and only) Monarch here in StL on July 9. It landed on a butterfly bush and flew away after a few minutes without checking out the wildflowers, including both the annual and perennial butterfly weed. It seems late for more to arrive, but I've only been paying attention for a few years, so I don't really know...

[Mona Miller]

There was a study done by a Canadian Scientist that showed that some of that first generation from the upper midwest goes east across the mountains and then turns south. This is happening in June. So, we get this initial influx from Mexico, Gulf States, plus some have been found wintering over in SC and Georgia. Then a second influx from the upper midwest.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 124410.htm
How Butterflies Fly Away Home

[lloyd thomas]

Thanks for the heads-up on the Science Daily article, Mona. Fascinating and surprising and hopeful--it's great knowing that Monarchs are overwintering in the U.S. and aren't totally dependent on making it through drought-stricken Texas on their way to Mexico.