Scientists Following the Monarchs Across Mexico

Contributed by Dr. Lincoln Brower
Sweet Briar College, Virginia

University of Mexico biologist Isabel Rameriz and my students, Mexicans Ivan Limón and Raúl Zubieta, are following the monarchs as they migrate north this spring. The team left on Sunday, March 18, 2007.

We hope to find the migratory path and see what species of flowers the butterflies are nectaring on along their route to Texas. We also want to know whether they are seeking water holes along the way. I will keep you posted.

Here is the latest info from Raul and Ivan. It's interesting that they have not yet reported nectaring, only drinking....

Monday, March 19
We were on Monday in Acambaro, drove by the Zinapecuaro-Contepect highway, then we went to San Juan del Rio trough Acambaro, Jerecuaro and Coroneo Guanajuato, and finally by Amealco to Edomex. We found them flying in this last route, all the time to the north.

Tuesday, March 20
Yesterday, we found an overnight site in the San Juan river, in the entrance to San Juan del Rio, Queretaro, and followed the monarchs by Bernal, Cadereyta, Villa Guerrero, Qro., and Zimapan, Hidalgo. All the time, the butterflies were flying to the north.

Wednesday, March 21
We are in Jalpan, Queretaro, and probably we'll go to Xilitla or Rioverde, San Luis Potosi, or both. Then we go to Cd. Valles, S.L.P. From there, we'll go to Cd. Mante Tamaulipas, Cd. Victoria and Linares.

Warm regards,

Ivan Limón and Raúl Zubieta

Expected Path
based on observations of fall migration