Journey North Monarch Butterfly Spring 2005

Monarch Butterfly Migration Update: May 6, 2005
Today's Report Includes: News From the Migration Trail Latest Migration Map and Data Migration Animation: Week-by-week Slideshow Habitat and Migration: Timing is Everything Discussion of C.Q. #14: Mystery Monarch Adaptation Caterpillar to Chrysalis: Why Does it Twist and Turn? Challenge Question #16 Smooth as Silk? How Would You Describe It? Challenge Question #17 Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts!
	Monarch Migration As of May 6, 2005
News From the Migration Trail The quiet is almost eerie. During the past week, not a single person said they saw their first monarch. This is the first time ever! We do have 3 new sightings on the map. However, those butterflies were seen the previous week and reported late. (Consider how late-reporting affects our migration map and analysis.) Watch the week-by-week animation. Do you see the migration pause? What do you think will happen next?	Latest Migration Data Use the latest migration data to make your own map, or print and analyze our map

Habitat and Migration: Timing is Everything Take a close look at today's map. It shows where habitat is most important to monarchs in the spring. If you live outside of that region, YOUR first monarch is probably there, as an egg, a larva, a chrysalis, or an adult. Consider how timing affects when, where, and how many monarchs there are. Monarchs are rarely seen in Texas in June and July. The plants they need can't withstand the heat. "Our nectar sources for butterflies will begin to dry up fairly rapidly in this heat," wrote Carol Jordan from Eagle Pass, Texas last week. Temperatures had already shot above 100F. Migrating monarchs often move north just as milkweed emerges. These pictures, taken last week in Maryland shows tiny, new plants loaded with eggs. "Egg loading" is a sign that milkweed is in short supply. If milkweed were plentiful, monarchs would not lay so many eggs on a single plant.

Milkweed in Maryland, April 28, 2005 Photos by Jim and Teresa Gallion

Monarch Habitat Needs During the Breeding Season
Look at your list of monarch habitat needs. When and where are monarchs forced to leave, when those needs can no longer be met? When and where can they live, when those needs can newly be met?

Monarch Habitat Needs During the Breeding Season

Discussion of C.Q. #14: What's This Mystery Monarch Adaptation?
You'll add new words to your vocabulary when you read how students identified the mystery adaptation. They guessed: the proboscis; some setae; and the spinneret. (The latter was a close guess by 2nd graders at Ellis Elementary).

But science students from Columbus Academy in Gahanna, Ohio knew it was "some part of the chrysalis and probably the web button holding the chrysalis to a leaf or twig." "I think that the picture is its cremaster," said Haley from Arkansas. Nimayi knew that it takes two weeks for a chrysalis to complete metamorphosis, so that was the give-away clue for her.

So what is the Mystery Monarch Adaptation? The image, now labeled, shows several structures: The "silk pad," which is made by the larva before it becomes a chrysalis. The "cremaster," which is the black post at the top of the chrysalis. The "crochets," which are the barbed hooks located at tip of the cremaster.
How do these structures help monarchs survive? Their role begins the moment the caterpillar starts to transform into a chrysalis. "This is a really critical stage in the life history of the monarch," begins Dr. Brower. Let's find out why...

Caterpillar to Chrysalis: Why Does it Twist and Turn?
Watch this video clip of a caterpillar as it changes (metamorphizes) into a chrysalis. You will notice an unusual behavior. The monarch twists and turns vigorously as the chrysalis forms. Why? Think about that question as you watch the clip. Then listen (or read the text) as Dr. Brower describes the moment of metamorphosis, from caterpillar to chrysalis. After you watch, read, and/or listen, come back to answer Challenge Question #16:

Caterpillar to Chrysalis: Why Does it Twist and Turn?
Challenge Question #16
"Why does the monarch twist and turn so vigorously as the chrysalis forms? How does this behavior help the monarch survive?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)


	Courtesty of Dr.Lincoln Brower, Sweet Briar College

Smooth as Silk? How Would You Describe It?	The Silk Pad Photo: Dr. Lincoln Brower, Sweet Briar College
Look closely at the monarch's "silk pad." What does the picture tell you about silk? What do you guess from looking at this picture? What do you wonder? Silk is another amazing monarch adaptation. (Be sure to add it to your list!) Come up with some describing words (adjectives) that tell about silk. Then do some research and collect facts and questions about silk. We already know the monarch's silk pad is important. In what other ways do you suppose silk helps a monarch to survive?
Challenge Question #17 "What adjectives best describe silk? How many ways do you think silk helps monarch caterpillars survive?" (To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)	Adaptations that Help Young Monarchs Survive Can you add more behaviors and structures to your list of monarch adaptations?

Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts!
Please take a few minutes to share your suggestions and comments in our Year-End Evaluation. The information readers provide is critical for planning new initiatives and for improving Journey North. We'd appreciate your help. THANK YOU!

Journey North
Year End Evaluation
Please share your thoughts

How to Respond to Today's Monarch Challenge Question

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-monarch@learner.org

2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #16 (or #17)

3. In the body of your message, answer the question above.

The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 13, 2005