"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."