Monarch Butterfly Update: Feb. 24, 2011 | |||||||||||
Spring migration is quickly approaching! The first U.S. sightings could appear by the end of next week. Where have millions of monarchs found the energy they needed to survive the winter? This week's focus is food. Also, Estela Romero tells what it's like to live in Angangueo's cold mountain environment the way the monarchs do. "Brrrrr!" she begins. This Week's Update Includes:
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Image of the Week | ||||||||||
Ask
the Expert! |
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News: Spring is Coming, Fuel is Falling—It's Almost Time to Go! |
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With each passing day, spring migration is getting closer. Temperatures are rising and the risk of freezing is falling. Monarch activity is a frenzy on warm sunny days. Mating increases dramatically now, and the butterflies leave their clusters continually to head out in search of water. This is the time "colony break-up" occurs. Butterflies leave their tightly-clustered colonies and they no longer return at night. The presence of loose clusters is a sign that the colonies have begun their spring expansion. People love to visit the monarchs at this time of year because the butterflies are so active. During a trip last week, the Hind family encountered thousands upon thousands of thirsty monarchs. The butterflies are pictured here, drinking from seeps and streams. Look closely and notice the wear and tear of some butterflies' wings. It has been a long winter! The monarchs must still survive another challenge. They're running low on fuel. Look at the falling lipids on the line graph that's based on Dr. Lincoln Brower's research. How much longer could the monarchs stay in Mexico before they'd run out of fuel? "Running out of fat is a common cause of mortality," says Dr. Bill Calvert. Many monarchs simply starve. They don't have enough lipids in reserve to last the winter. Attention All Butterfly Gardeners: Get ready, because very hungry monarch butterflies will soon be heading north!
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Slideshow: No Food for Five Months? | |||||||||||
People eat three meals a day, 365 days a year. How can monarch butterflies survive without food for so long? This slideshow shares their secret.
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Life in the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Region | |||||||||||
It's cold in Angangueo!
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Laura Emilia has 7 blankets! |
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Journal: My Day as an Ectotherm | |||||||||||
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Seeing Monarchs or Milkweed? Please Report Now! | |||||||||||
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The next Monarch Migration Update will be posted on March 3, 2011. | |||||||||||
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