Monarch Butterfly Migration | Journey North Citizen Science Project Tracks Spring and Fall Monarch Butterfly Migration

Monarch Butterflies

Monarch Butterfly News: April 3, 2014
By Elizabeth Howard

Please Report
Your Sightings!

The monarchs are moving in full force across Texas and hundreds of thousands still remain in Mexico. Several unexpected sightings this week raise valuable questions.

News: Migration Advances from Texas
Estela's Letter: Still More!
Spotlight: Where to Buy Native Milkweed
Maps: Report Your Sightings

Image of the Week

Still More!

News: Migration Advances from Texas

The migration's leading edge has entered Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi, but the population appears to be concentrated in Texas. Of this week's 68 sightings, 70% were reported from that state. All along the migration trail, people reported monarchs traveling, nectaring, and laying eggs.

"First one of the season! Collected 20 eggs." Columbia, Mississippi April 1, 2014

"Saw the season's first Monarch this afternoon. It was a female flying low and touching plants in an unmowed field - classic signs of her looking for milkweed to lay eggs. Exciting that they're back!" Dallas, Texas April 2, 2014

Unexpected Sightings
Several sightings reported this week lead to interesting questions and point to the value of citizen science:

Offshore Sighting: A monarch was reported from a research vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, about 200 miles offshore.

Early Milkweed: Milkweed was reported from Iowa and Wisconsin where the snow has only recently melted.

Habitat Ready?
Draw and describe what your outdoor habitat looks like today. When will it be ready for migrating monarchs?

Journal

Ovoposición en Tamaulipas
Alfonso Banda

Offshore Sighting

Early Milkweed

Estela's Letter: More on the Way!

Estela watched this week as monarchs continued to mate and set off on migration.

Letter and Gallery

Spotlight: Where to Buy Native Milkweed

Here's how to find milkweed seed vendors near you:

Milkweed Seed Finder

Monarch Watch Milkweed Market

Maps: Report Your Sightings


What to Report	First Adult report \| map \| list	Milkweed report \| map \| list

First Egg report \| map \| list	First Larvae report \| map \| list	Other Observations report \| map \| list

Next Update April 11, 2014