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

Monarch Butterflies

Monarch Migration News: May 7, 2015
By Elizabeth Howard

Please Report
Your Sightings!

Here comes the next generation. Eating and growing, today's monarch caterpillars will soon be northbound butterflies.

Monarch Caterpillar
Elizabeth Howard

News: Lull Between Generations

This has been the quietest week of the season, with very few monarchs being reported. The migration map illustrates the annual 'stall' between generations. Watch the animation to see how little the monarchs have advanced over the last 3 weeks.

Get Ready for a Change
We're waiting for signs that the new generation is here, and ready to continue the journey north.

1. Wings
Fresh wings signify newly-emerged butterflies.

2. Numbers
A dramatic increase in sightings occurs because the population grows with each new generation.

3. Northward Surge
Monarchs suddenly spread across the map into the northern breeding grounds.

4. Timing
Monarchs entered Texas over a month ago, so their offspring should be appearing any day.

Monarch Butterfly in Texas with faded wings

Last Sightings
Chuck Patterson

Monarch Butterfly in Texas with fresh wings

First Generation?
Troy Daniell

Spotlight: Caterpillars and Milkweed

Monarchs often arrive in the spring just as milkweed is emerging. People want to know: Will there be enough to feed the hungry caterpillars? A Pennsylvania woman compared milkweed growth to monarch development and made a surprising discovery.

Can Milkweed Grow Fast Enough?

Monarch Caterpillars: Can Milkweed Grow Fast Enough?


Caterpillar Feast	Close-up Chewing	Slow-motion Munching

Conservation News

Volunteers: Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
Citizen Scientists needed to collect data to help assess the status of the monarch population recovery by counting monarchs this summer.

Will superweeds, regulation create perfect storm in Iowa? New research revelations, government policy changes and farmers’ own dissatisfactions could radically alter both weed and pollinator management in the Midwest.

How you can help Monarch Butterflies at Sanctuary in Mexico

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

Journal and Activities
Journal

Next Update May 14, 2015