Monarch Found by Scientists at Sea
By Alison Heater

October 1, 2010
We are offshore doing scientific research and a monarch butterfly appeared today on our ship, the R/V Atlantis. Maybe it was blown off course by the storms? He is presently relaxing in a box and will hopefully make it back to Woods Hole, MA with us in a few days where he will be very disappointed and have to start migration all over again!

We were about 120 miles from shore when we discovered the butterfly. We left Woods Hole, Mass. on Sept. 10 and have been offshore since then.  Just about 1 1/2 days before the monarch turned up we had that weather system go through that dumped so much rain on the Carolinas.  We had 35-40 knot winds and swell averaging about 20 feet. (That was pretty rough for us, and science work was suspended while the system passed.) 

Oddly, the butterfly turned up in the galley near the breakfast fruit. (That's why I thought it might like the syrupy peach that I gave it.) I don't think it was a stowaway; I think it would have been discovered in the three weeks we've been out here.  I feel certain that it was blown out here during the storm.  We also had several birds and other insects show up, too.

I am a regular on the R/V Atlantis.  I work with various scientists from around the world (oceanographers, marine biologists, geologists, etc.) and help them collect oceanographic data.  Our ship also carries the submersible, Alvin, that takes scientists down to as far as 4500 meters below the surface to do research. I am assisting with an Alvin recovery in the picture above. I, unfortunately, only get to ride occasionally on top of it on the surface :)  This trip is mostly scientists studying the chemistry of the water column. (Alvin is on the ship, but not diving this time around.)

You can view the cruise track for the R/V Atlantis at sssg1.whoi.edu (we're in red)

Our ship carries the submersible, Alvin, that takes scientists down to as far as 4500 meters below the surface to do research. I am assisting with an Alvin recovery in this picture.

Oddly, the butterfly turned up in the galley near the breakfast fruit.

Images courtesy of Alison Heater