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Contents:
1) Online Community Forums
2) Monarch Watch Open House and Tagging Events
3) Status of the Population
4) Western Monarch Population
5) Milkweed Production
6) Tags Still Available
7) Four Wings and a Prayer - The Movie
8) Upcoming Monarch Events
9) Monarchs and Art
10) The World's Largest Monarch
11) About Our Update List
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Unless otherwise noted, all content was authored by Chip Taylor, edited by Jim Lovett and Sarah Schmidt, and published by Jim Lovett.
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1) Online Community Forums
This summer we announced our new online forums/discussion boards that allow you to communicate with others regarding your specific interests in monarchs. The forums are off to a good start and thus far we have 182 registered users from all walks of life and from several countries. If you are interested in following the migration, asking questions about monarchs, finding out about monarch events, collaborating with teachers, posting monarch sightings, sharing your own monarch experiences, and/or learning of the latest at Monarch Watch, you can join in by registering or browsing the forums at
http://www.MonarchWatch.org/forums/
There are obviously many advantages to forum-based communication versus traditional email:
- no SPAM
- no virus threat
- no flooded email inbox
- no "postponement" necessary when you go on vacation
- searchable archives
- easy to follow any given discussion ("thread")
- notification of posts to threads of interest to you
- "private messaging" option
- registration/preference information easy to manage
- more control over privacy
- easier for Monarch Watch to manage
and a whole lot more! :-)
We encourage all of you to stop by to register today (it only takes a minute) and then check back frequently to join in and/or start discussions of interest to you. Help us create an active online community for Monarch Watchers all over the world! If you have any questions about this please feel free to drop us a line anytime – or post your questions in the appropriate forum online ;-)
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2) Monarch Watch Open House and Tagging Events
We held our second Fall Open House on the 11th of September and followed that with a public tagging event at the Baker Haskell Wetlands on the 18th. The Open House was a great success. Outside we featured a series of gazebos; one gazebo was set aside to demonstrate monarch tagging, another was set up so children could select a monarch and/or black swallowtail caterpillar to take home, and in yet another they could select a monarch pupa/chrysalis to take home or to school. Our Biohouse, a 20’ x 30’ outdoor screened hoop house, was filled with butterfly plants, about 150 monarchs, and representatives of several local butterfly species. In addition, with the help of many of its creators (the Douglas County Master Gardeners), we were able to introduce the public to our new butterfly garden. The garden displays a rich array of butterfly nectar and host-plant sources. It also contains a bubbler as a water source for some species and fruit feeders to attract others. Two viceroys and a hackberry butterfly can be seen feeding at the fruit in the photo. We were also able to display subtropical butterflies within a gazebo in the green house. Indoors we gave tours of our rearing facility, including the critter room where the students (as well as Sarah and Jim during our peak season) prepare shipments to schools across the country. The mating cages with large numbers of monarchs laying eggs on young tropical milkweed plants were of interest to many visitors, as were the numerous insect exhibits (some of which were provided by the Johnson County Master Gardeners). The indoor honey bee observation hive with a close-up video camera connected to a TV monitor was a real attention getter. We also had iChat demonstrations and several web cams set up so visitors could wave to long-distance attendees around the world.
Photos: http://www.MonarchWatch.org/openhouse
We estimate that at least 400 visitors attended the Open House and that we gave away at least 200 monarch larvae, 200 pupae and over 100 milkweed plants. We were hoping for a larger crowd but we were competing for the public’s attention with several events on the main KU campus and around Lawrence. The garden produced by the Master Gardeners - much of it the work of Margerete Johnson - was featured in the Lawrence Journal World on the 12th. The accompanying photos were excellent, although a viceroy visiting the water feature was described as a monarch.
We are already planning for the spring Open House / Plant Fund Raiser. We will let you know of the date and place and promise not to run out of perennial milkweeds as we have each of the last two years.
I wish I could say the tagging event, in cooperation with the Jayhawk Audubon Society, at the Baker Wetlands the following Saturday (18th) was as successful as the Open House. During the first few years of this event the weather cooperated and the monarchs were abundant. This year, for the third year in a row, we attracted rain rather than monarchs, even though the weather forecasters had predicted a fine day for most of the week. Not only was it raining, the morning started out with lots of thunder and lightning and gusty winds. As a consequence, taggers were few and the monarchs were scarce. A few monarchs were netted from the trees, and others were caught on flowers by those taggers who worked the hardest and were willing to penetrate far into the wetlands. For those who were unsuccessful at catching and tagging monarchs, we had several cages with monarchs that they could tag and release. Unfortunately, the wetlands had been so wet during the summer that many of the flowers near the entrance, where much of the tagging is usually done, had finished flowering or had died from high water. We are looking forward to next year. It can’t possibly rain on us 4 years in a row – can it?
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3) Status of the Population
The monarch migration this year certainly is unique compared to all others I’ve witnessed. I have been following the fall monarch migration for the last 16 years and this season marks the thirteenth year of tagging. I’ve been searching for words to describe this migration and for ways to explain it, but I’m not sure that I can. The words that come to mind are atypical, late, slow, sparse, and undefined. Over the last 13 years, the movement of monarchs each fall has shown there is a distinct pattern to the migration such that we can predict when the migrants first start to move and when the leading edge of the migration will reach each latitude as it progresses southward. The data behind this statement, which we’ve presented in seminars but have not yet published, is quite impressive, but the migration this year doesn’t really fit the pattern and has us scratching our heads. Normally, the migrants arrive suddenly as a distinct wave, usually in the afternoon of 9-11 September here in Lawrence, KS. We see them drifting in as they cross the campus and intersections in town and we know where to look for clusters in the trees as the sun goes down. During warm years with high temperatures, high pressure and strong SW winds, the front has arrived as late as the 16th of September. This year there was no real “ front” or leading edge to the migration and no appreciable number of monarchs had arrived in the area by the time of our public tagging event at the Baker Wetlands on Saturday the 18th. Subsequently, monarchs began to drift into the area in relatively small numbers. The typical peak for the migration in our area is the 18th –23rd and we did see some monarchs on flowers and flying south while we drove around town from the 21st to the 26th. However, the numbers have been relatively low compared to other years. My guess is that the peak has passed and I would be surprised if we see an additional burst of monarchs; yet, there just may be one on the way. Over the weekend (25-26 September) there were two reports from Iowa indicating that large numbers of monarchs are still visiting flowers in the central and SW portions of the state. These were the two most positive reports we have received from Iowa this season. The lateness of these sightings is of interest since the peak for monarchs in central Iowa usually occurs from the 13th to the 18th of September. Again, these reports point to the lateness of this migration. The easiest way to explain these tardy monarchs is to hypothesize that the development of the last brood of the year, at least in some areas, was significantly delayed by colder than normal temperatures from mid-August through mid-September. A similar delay in the migration that seemed to be related to delayed development occurred in parts of New England, particularly Vermont, a few years ago.
Reports from many locations indicate the size of the migrant population originating in the northern portion of the breeding range is low. The numbers of monarchs seen in Ontario is disturbingly low and has been the subject of several newspaper accounts. Similarly, the Monarch Monitoring Project
http://www.concord.org/~dick/mmp02.html
run by Dick Walton and Lincoln Brower indicates there were fewer monarchs passing through Cape May, New Jersey during the first four weeks of September than for any of the previous thirteen years of the program.
In the August Update, I suggested that reproduction by monarchs south of the traditional breeding areas might contribute more significantly to this year’s migration since the moisture conditions and temperatures appeared to be favorable for such reproduction. I’m not sure whether this is occurring. There hasn’t been much evidence to support such supposition. All I can report on is what I’ve seen and harvested from our small milkweed garden and patches of potted milkweeds around the building here in Lawrence. In addition to an abundance of milkweed, we have numerous nectar sources that attract adult monarchs to the vicinity of our building. From the 20th of August until the 19th of September, I collected 521 monarch larvae from gardens and the plants around the building. Most of the larvae were 4th and 5th instars and were easily raised to pupation. From these, 445 (85.4%) reached the pupal stage. Forty-five larvae and sixteen pupae (11.7% total) died of unknown causes and fifty-four (10.4%) were parasitized by tachinid flies. The later is an astounding figure since parasitism by tachinids ranges from 60 to 90% of the larvae we usually collect in late August and September. Last year at this time the rate of loss to tachinid flies was 67.4%. The decline in the rate of infestation of larvae by tachinids suggests that the flies declined locally. While wondering why the flies declined, I realized that many local species are low in abundance or downright scarce this year. There are virtually no bumblebees in our area this year and more relevant to the flies is that there are relatively few adult Lepidoptera and caterpillars in general. This means there is less of a base for the buildup of the fly population because they parasitize a variety of Leipdopteran species. Once I made this connection, I realized that both paper wasps (Polistes) and yellow jackets (Vespula) are also scarce this year. These low numbers make sense because the buildup of the populations of both of these groups of predators is also highly dependent on the availability of soft-bodied insects – mostly caterpillars. So, it is not only an unusual year for monarchs but for their predators and parasites as well – at least here in eastern Kansas.
The number of caterpillars collected around the lab was truly extraordinary and exceeds anything in my previous experience in collecting caterpillars on milkweeds in Kansas. I would like to think that this burst of monarch reproduction was general to eastern Kansas but this probably wasn’t the case. We did hear from several local people of defoliated milkweeds in their gardens and one visitor to the lab from a location nearly 20 miles to the west of Lawrence offered a similar observation. Even so, we did not see a substantial increase in new monarchs in early September which would have suggested a burgeoning local population. Nevertheless, I’m still hopeful that there will be late season reproduction that will add to the population from the southern states. Last month I stuck my neck out in saying that the overwintering population would probably be close to 4-6 hectares, well below the long- term average of nine hectares in aggregate, if measured in December. Perhaps I was too optimistic since it now looks like the population reaching the overwintering sites will be even smaller.
As I’ve mentioned in other updates, we need a better way of monitoring the monarch populations. We certainly need a temperature/moisture/plant growth model that will help us better understand the growth of the monarch population through the breeding season. In addition, we need to determine whether the widespread adoption of herbicide (glyphophosphate) resistant corn and soybeans is having a significantly negative impact on the milkweed populations in these row crops and in turn the monarch population.
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4) Western Monarch Population
Western Monarch Population
We received the following announcement of a Monarch Monitoring Meeting in California from Mia Monroe.
3rd Annual Monarch Butterfly Monitoring Workshop & Symposium
Saturday, 30 October 2004
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Where: Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur, CA. Morning workshop will take place in Eucalyptus Grove and afternoon symposium will take place in Ventana Wilderness Society’s Research and Education barn.
Conducted by: Jessica Griffiths (Ventana Wilderness Society), Mia Monroe (The Xerces Society), and Dennis Frey (California Polytechnic State University)
Objective: You are invited to participate in a monarch butterfly workshop and symposium. The goal of the workshop is to continue collaboration among monarch butterfly enthusiasts and biologists for conducting long-term monitoring efforts in California. Much of the foundation for long-term monitoring has already been established, however feedback and standardization among collaborators is important to the success of long-term project goals. The goal of the symposium is to hold a scientific forum whereby researchers can share their findings and spark new ideas and interpretations concerning monarch butterfly biology.
Fee: Please bring a registration fee of $10/person. A light breakfast, lunch, and beverages will be provided.
RSVP: Please RSVP Mia Monroe (Muirmia@aol.com) or call her (415) 388-2596 at least 4 days prior to the workshop (by 26 October) so that we can provide enough food.
Bring: Because this workshop is outdoors, please dress warmly and in layers. We also suggest bringing raingear in case it rains. **Don’t forget small fee ($10/person), binoculars, pen and notebook, and enthusiasm!
Directions from the north: For those arriving for the workshop, please park at the hwy 1 pull-out _ mi. N of the entrance to Andrew Molera State Park. The pull-out is located approximately 21 miles south of the Rio Rd stoplight, which is the last stoplight heading south out of Carmel toward Big Sur. From the hwy 1 pull-out, there is an obvious trail leading directly to the highly visible Eucalyptus grove, where we will meet. For those arriving later for the symposium, you will want to take the first right after the pull-out, into the main entrance to Andrew Molera State Park. Prior to the parking kiosk, turn left through the white arch, proceed ~150 yards, past brown barn, turn left into small parking lot where you may park for free.
Agenda:
I. Welcome and Overview of California’s Monarch Butterfly Monitoring Project; coffee, juice, and pastries (8:30 – 9:00 AM)
II. The Site Survey Component (9:00 – 11:45 AM)
a. Protocols
b. Data sheets
c. Standardizing counts & estimating abundance
d. Weather Data: Beaufort scale and Data Loggers (HOBOs)
III. Additional Topics (11:45 – 12:00 PM)
IV. Lunch served at VWS Research and Education Center (brown barn inside main entrance to Andrew Molera State Park) (12:15 – 12:45 PM)
V. Symposium/Presentations (12:45 – 4:30 PM)
Accommodations: For any of you wishing to stay overnight in Big Sur, we suggest the following lodging options:
- Big Sur Campground and Cabins: 831-667-2322, located off Hwy 1
Cabin rates range from $55-$205 for a queen size bed or 1-2 people. All cabins are wooden structures, have fire pits and a picnic table. Tent cabins for $55/night have no heat and no bathroom, but come with queen size bed. All linens and towels are provided. Public bathhouse with hot showers, sinks and flush toilets.
- Ripplewood Cabins: 831-667-2242, located off Hwy 1
Rates range from $75 to $135. Only 16 cabins available. Amenities may include queen or double bed, kitchen, deck, and fireplace. No personal checks accepted.
- Glen Oaks Hotel: 831-667-2105, located off Hwy 1
Rates range from $94 to $150 depending on bed sizes
- River Inn: 800-548-3610, located off Hwy 1
Rates range from $90 to $180 depending on bed size and view.
- Big Sur Lodge: 800-424-4787, located off Hwy 1 in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Rates range from $129 to $229 depending on bed size and amenities.
- Big Sur Inn (Deetjen’s): 831-667-2377, located off Hwy 1
Rates range from $125 to $195 depending on bed sizes; only 20 rooms available in rustic buildings.
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If milkweeds really are declining due to the use of herbicide resistant crops as mentioned above and in several previous commentaries, milkweed propagation and the restoration of milkweeds in many monarch friendly habitats should become a priority for monarch conservation efforts in the United States and Canada. To make milkweed restoration a reality, we will have to learn the rules of propagation for a variety of habitats and milkweed species and we will need seed sources appropriate for various regions of the country. Fortunately, some information is already available on this topic and additional information should be forthcoming from the efforts to commercialize milkweeds. Along these lines, there are two developments that merit monitoring: the Western Illinois University research on milkweeds as a alternative crop
http://www.wiu.edu/AltCrops/
and the commercial use of milkweed fiber as a hypoallergenic substitute for the fill in pillows and comforters by Natural Fibers Corporation of Ogallala, Nebraska
http://www.buymilkweed.com/
Each of the web sites cited provides information on the uses of milkweeds, see especially the uses for seeds
http://www.buymilkweed.com/milkweed_seed.htm
and references to some of the literature on the common milkweed that serves as the basis for much of the monarch population.
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6) Tags Still Available
We still have tags available for those of you in the southern states, especially Texas, who wish to tag this season. The Monarch Watch Fall 2004 Tagging Kit includes 25 tags and instructions for $25; additional 25-tag sheets are available for $4 each. Visit the Monarch Watch Shop at
http://shop.MonarchWatch.org
or download a condensed order form at http://www.MonarchWatch.org/order
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7) Four Wings and a Prayer - The Movie
The book “Four Wings and a Prayer” by Sue Halpern is all about monarchs and those who are passionately involved in their pursuit and conservation. This book is now in production as a movie by a team of Canadian and French filmmakers. This fall the team is visiting various sites and experts along the monarch’s fall migratory route with filming planned for this winter at the overwintering sites in Mexico. The film crew flew to Lawrence on the 16th and filmed in the field and at the lab on the 17th and 18th. Unfortunately, wild monarchs were scarce, at a time when the migration should have been at or near its peak, and some of the story may focus on the decline in the monarch population rather than a normal migration.
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8) Upcoming Monarch Events
For a complete up-to-date listing please visit the “Monarch Events” forum within our new online community forums:
http://www.MonarchWatch.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=20
If you know of other events that are not listed there, please let us know!
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9) Monarchs and Art
From time to time we receive information about monarchs used in advertising and in art. Several people informed us about the display of 3000 monarchs in Battery Park in New York City and Al Mauler from the University of Kansas sent us the following photos
http://www.MonarchWatch.org/update/040930_umbrellas.html
Additional photos of the display and information about the artist can be found at the following web sites:
artist’s web site
http://victormatthews.com/
news release
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/media_advisories/media_advisories.php?id=19014
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10) The World's Largest Monarch
The World’s Largest Monarch
Monarchs vary quite a bit in size but this one is really big:
http://www.circleofseeds.com/index_cornmaze.html
To see and walk through this 5 acre monarch you will have to visit northern Virginia and the THE CORN MAZE IN THE PLAINS -- Route 245 north, just off Interstate 66 west, adjacent to the Archwood Green Barns Farmers Market, The Plains, VA.
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