Increasingly this week, people noticed monarchs with faded wings—a sign that the monarchs from Mexico are reaching the end of their lives. Yet egg-laying continued:
"The monarch was very worn and faded...She looked very tired, yet possibly laid about 200 eggs!" Richmond, VA
"Our first monarch was faded, but she floated from milkweed to milkweed in our yard." Catawissa, MO
Slowed by Cold
Cooler, more typical temperatures have returned, and the migration's northward advance has slowed. Latitude line 39 North seems like an invisible barrier beyond which no butterfly can fly. The migration continued to advance eastward and a wave of first sightings hit Virginia.
Capturing Spring
To the surprise and delight of eager students, milkweed and monarchs appeared this week at schools like these:
"Our third grade class went outside to observe signs of spring when we noticed a fairly big milkweed in our school garden. We turned over some leaves and found 3 monarch eggs. We haven't seen any monarch butterflies, but we know one has been here!" Cub Run, KY
"We saw a monarch butterfly in our garden at Wiley International Magnet School," reports Mrs. Abel's 2nd grade class. Raleigh, NC
Crossfield Elementary students were on vacation, so when 2nd grade teacher Connie Lehman discovered milkweed in the outdoor classroom she posted a picture. "I was hoping students on spring break could log in and see it." Herndon, VA
April Flowers
Flowers are blooming in backyards and schoolyards. Monarchs follow a nectar corridor as they migrate! |