Date: 04/26/2004

Number: 1

It was flying across the back yards of suburbia about 4 - 5 ft from the ground. More or less direct flight but turning an occasional circle.I was not the one who observed the monarch. It was an Agricultural Department person who reported the sighting to me.I wouldn't dispute his identification. Sighting of a Papilio glaucus on April 21 (the early date in Michigan per MICHIGAN BUTTERFLIES & SKIPPERS by Mogens C. Nielsen is April 15), Vanessa atalanta rubria on April 23 equaling the early flight period date for this species in Michigan, azures and cabbages are abundant, a Euptoieta claudia was observed on April 26 (previous early flight period date for Michigan was May 13), and other V. a. rubria have been seen since April 23, it is quite conceivable that it was a Monarch seen near Lambertville. Vanessa virginiensis was seen on April 29 as well as another rubria. Now, if these non resident species: Vanessa virginiensis, Vanessa
atalanta rubria, and Euptoieta claudia are moving into the state into this
southern tier county, it is most possible that Monarchs may just as well.
It has been a warm spring in Michigan and the Indian Creek is a natural
flyway north for leps.
The early flight period date for the Monarch in Michigan is April 27, 1997
in Albion, Calhoun Co. So this is only 1 day sooner by the Calendar.

Lambertville, MI

Latitude: 41.8 Longitude: -83.6

Observed by: Owen A.
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.