New to tagging

[MonarchMom]

Hello,
I am new to tagging Monarchs. I live approx. 35 miles NW of OKC., Latitude 35. (I think.) The range shows approx. migration Sept. 24th to Oct. 6th. I have had a few, but frequent visiting and egg-laying Monarchs since about July 15th. I have raised and released several, and they are continuing to lay eggs. I presently have about 6 that are about ready to eclose. Can I tag these? Or is it too early? Do I need to wait until mid Sept.? These that are ready to eclose will probably mate and lay eggs, and their offspring will probably make the migration?

The ones that I had in July were probably still migrating from the south due to the cooler summer that we had?

Thanks for any info that you can give.

[Chip]

Yes, it's too early to tag in OK. The monarchs emerging now and for at least the next two weeks in OK will become reproductive and will not migrate. Depending on the temperatures, particularly the overnight temps, some of the monarchs emerging by the 10th of Sept will migrate while others become reproductive. An increasing proportion of the new monarchs will migrate after this date. Almost all of the new butterflies emerging in the last week of Sept in OK will migrate.

[MonarchMom]

Thanks for your prompt reply, Chip. I commend your truly remarkable and enormous undertaking, all for the love of the Monarch.

From what you said, am I understanding it is best to wait to tag until the last week in Sept., unless we get some cool fronts coming in earlier, lowering particularly evening temps?

Thanks again. It's amazing just planting more milkweed can really make a difference! I saw 6 Monarchs in my yard this evening. Two of them were mating! They will mainly stay around the area? It's too late for any of them to go further north?

[Chip]

From what you said, am I understanding it is best to wait to tag until the last week in Sept.

Not quite. Since some new monarchs in OK become migatory earlier than the last week of Sept - perehaps as early as the 10th, it would be best to start tagging around the 10th.

[MonarchMom]

Thanks, Chip.

[monarchlady]

I have been 'raising' Monarchs since 1999. ( I was so very lucky to go to El Rosario in March 1998 and fell in love with this beautiful creature). I have ordered a tagging kit for the FIRST TIME so from what I have read, I am in the correct month to do this!!! But help, I never did it because I was afraid I would injure the new butterfly. Please give me some pointers so that I can do this and safely send them on their incredible journey. Thanks.

[Jim]

Hey there monarchlady!

Tagging is very easy - we've got taggers from 5 to 95 doing it equally well

Monarchs are pretty tough little insects...keep in mind that some of these critters are flying well over 2000 miles to reach the overwintering sites in Mexico. They do not loose their scales as readily as most other butterflies and moths so you can handle them for tagging without worrying too much about harming them - just follow the instructions on the datasheet, which can be downloaded as a PDF file here:

2004 Datasheet

You might find it easier to work with a partner, taking turns tagging and recording data.

1. Hold a Monarch between your thumb and index finger along the leading edge of the forewings (Figure A).



2. Record complete data before removing a tag from the sheet.

3. Remove a tag by its edge from the sheet (a toothpick might be helpful), place it over the discal cell (of either hindwing) and carefully apply pressure to the tag from both sides of the butterfly (Figure B), press firmly for several seconds and release the butterfly - making sure all of the information is recorded first!



Do not allow the tag to stick to any other surface, such as your finger, before applying it to the butterfly.

To be most effective, the adhesive surface of the tag must be clean when it is applied to the wing.

[Gayla]

Hello monarchlady. I hope you enjoy tagging. My son is 11 years old and he and I have been tagging since he was 4 years old. It is so much fun and we have enjoyed sharing this activity each year. Good luck with the tagging.