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Explore This Week's Sightings! Week Ending Sept. 25, 2008

How are Seasonal Changes Affecting Monarchs?
Monarchs can only survive in places where their needs are being met. It's late September now and many seasonal changes are occurring in the monarch's habitat. Look for examples in the comments below. In what ways is monarch habitat changing across eastern North America? Where are the monarch's needs being met? Where is it becoming difficult for monarchs to survive?

For Your Journal: Each week, choose your favorite monarch sighting and record your thoughts in your journal. >>

Observations from Citizen Scientists

September 19: Sabattus, Maine (44 N, -70 W)
I couldn't believe it! It was 48 degrees, sunny and a single monarch was flying about from flower to flower, nectaring I assume, in front of the house. After about 15 minutes it crossed the road and flew in a southerly direction about 6 ft. above the ground towards some goldenrod that had not been hit by a frost yet.

September 19: Whitby, Ontario (44 N, -79 W)
I was tagging Monarchs yesterday afternoon in Whitby, Ontario, on the north shore of Lake Ontario. As cloud cover moved in, and the temperature dropped a couple of degrees, the nectaring Monarchs left the flowers and flew into the trees, several branches having clusters of adults on them. After about an hour, the clouds cleared up, the sun came out, and the Monarchs returned to their nectar sources (clover and asters mostly).

September 19: Marne, Michigan (43 N, -86 W)
Since my last report, I have seen only a single butterfly each day, always southbound. The knapweed (a type of flower) has dried up now, so they must be seeking other meadows.

September 23: Ormond Beach, Florida (29 N, -81 W)
Finally, I tagged my first Monarch Butterfly of the in my yard today. She is laying eggs like crazy right now. I have counted already 37 that I can find. I have milkweed but I doubt enough to support the caterpillars.

Can you find others?
Look for more examples of how the changing season is affecting monarch habitat:

 

Did You Know?

Monarch butterflies are paralyzed by cold temperatures. They can't fly unless their flight muscles are 55F (13C). They can warm their muscles by basking in the sun, or by shivering or flying.