Monarch Butterfly News: June 5, 2014
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With the breeding season in full force, monarchs need nectar to fuel their active lives. Image of the Week
Monarch Butterfly Nectaring on Crab Apple Blossoms
Got Nectar?
Dennis Bjorn
News: Monarchs Reach Manitoba
The migration continued to expand into new territory this week. The northernmost monarch reached latitude 50°N in Manitoba and butterflies spread throughout the Great Lakes region.

"Students at Dewitt Carter Public School in Ontario spotted a worn out female monarch feeding off dandelions in the school yard."

"Citizen scientists Ethan, Aidan, William, Matthew, Gracely, and Ella were among the students who found eggs in their Ohio hometown."

Off to a Good Start
Almost 40% of this spring's sightings were reported during the past two weeks. This surge represents the clear arrival of breeders from the south. The monarchs are laying eggs furiously, as if aware of their important job. Several people have seen more monarchs this spring than all of last year.

"Last year there wasn't a monarch in my yard, so when I saw this one I was thrilled. Great to see them again. June 1, 2014 Muskegon, Michican

"We sighted our first monarch today. It's remarkable because we did not see any last year." May 31, 2014 Woodridge, Illinois

Nectar and Reproduction
The demands of reproduction require energy. Females are producing hundreds of eggs and flying in search of milkweed. Males are patrolling milkweed plants to find females, and producing energy-rich spermataphores for mating.

For Your Butterfly Garden
Find the best nectar plants for your region. Identify flowering times so you can provide nectar from the time monarchs arrive in the spring until they migrate south in the fall.

"We can't just plant milkweed. We have to plant nectar plants too."

First Monarch Sightings Spring 2014
Surge in Sightings

 

Monarch Butterfly Nectaring in Lilacs
Energy for Migration
Paula Lozano

 
Monarch Butterflies Mating
Energy for Reproduction
Susan Roderus
 
Plants for Your Region
Spotlight: Monarch Mystery Photos
Small and intricate structures—the silk pad, crochets and cremaster—are critical for monarch survival, even though they're only used for about two weeks of a butterfly's life. Magnified images reveal relationships between form and function in nature. Courtesy of Dr. Lincoln Brower.

 


Maps: Report Your Sightings
Monarch butterfly migration map Monarch butterfly migration map Map of milkweed emergence: Spring 2014
What to Report First Adult
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Milkweed
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Monarch butterfly migration map Monarch butterfly migration map Monarch butterfly migration map
First Egg
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First Larvae
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Other Observations
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Journey North Evaluation
Next Update June 12, 2014