Eastern Monarch Report Spring 2023: Report #3

Published: 04/11/2023

Leading Edge

Monarchs are still being observed in the Carolinas, as well as the Virginias. In the Central Flyway, Oklahoma continues to be a hot spot, with movement north toward Kansas and Missouri (latitude 38°N).

The Flyways

The eastern and western monarch populations are divided by the Rocky Mountains. There are two distinct flyways through which eastern monarchs migrate in the spring, the Atlantic and the Central Flyways.

Atlantic Flyway

Christina in Greenville, NC: “My friend saw the monarch on the mandarin orange tree she had just brought home. The tree was outside just a couple of hours when she saw the butterfly.” (04/10/2023)

Michelle in Carrollton, VA: “A monarch flew by my car in my neighborhood this afternoon… I had early monarch eggs in my yard almost exactly this time last year.” (04/06/2023)

Central Flyway

Ricky & Missy in Morrisville, MO: “We were checking our common milkweed that has popped up and One floated right past us. I assume it was a Male since it passed right on by the 3 and 4 inch tall milkweed. We saw another fly by a bit later heading Northeast.” (04/10/2023)

Overlapping Generations

Journey North observers are still seeing monarchs that migrated from Mexico, as evidenced by reports of dull, diluted colors and tattered wings.

Charlotte in Jefferson, GA: “Diluted in color. Tattered wings. Searching desperately for milkweed to deposit eggs. Counted at least twenty just for today.” (04/05/2023)

Heather in Friendsville, TN: “Flying around on the nettle flowers. My milkweed is ready so hopefully it comes this way. It flew into the woods. Colors were dull. It is getting down to 38° tonight so hopefully it is okay.” (04/09/2023)

Tim in Campbell, MO (04/07/2023)

… And the Next Generation Emerges

Meanwhile, the next generation begins to emerge. Generation 1 monarchs are the offspring of the monarchs who overwintered in Mexico. Each successive generation travels farther north. It will take 3 - 4 generations to reach the northern United States and Canada.

Reports of egg-laying, larvae, chrysalis, and newly emerging adults are being observed by Journey North volunteers in south and central states, as well as in the southeastern coastal states.

Eggs

Sarah in Goodlettsville, TN: “Monarch. Laid multiple eggs on swamp milkweed.” (04/10/2023)

Heather in Bartlesville, OK: “Female laying eggs. Spotted between 6:30pm and 7:00pm.
Laid approximately 57 eggs on Asclepias syriaca.” (04/07/2023)