Date: 02/22/2005

Number: 1

Hello From the Live Monarch Foundation in South Florida. This year has been quite difficult for our small overwintering population of monarchs. There were several dozen spotted throughout the entire winter - Nov, Dec, Jan and then in Feb we had a few low temp drops that wiped just about all of them out. Pockets were later found in Boynton Beach and Palm Beach in heavily wooded areas near natural pesticide free gardens and nurserys. They are laying eggs and with few natural predators in great numbers should be noticeable by mid April.

We have gathered several females from each location and are currently raising over 1000 caterpillars. We replace the females and improve the area with new plants.

Our Farm however is surrounded by several large nurseries that spray with orthene long lived systemic pesticides. These pockets of poison destroy every unlucky butterfly that is lured into the lush oasis of poisioned plants. Let your local nursery know that they should not be so quick to us

Boynton Beach, FL

Latitude: 26.5 Longitude: -80.1

Observed by: Live
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