Date: 03/10/2005

Number: 1

We have had overwintering monarchs through the winter this year - several
of us observed hatches and/or new migrants in December and January.
Presumably these are eggs and caterpillars that found warm microclimates
and moved slowly but surely through their cycle. Or butterflies swept in by
a front from the N. We do get occasional fronts with winds from the south
and west, and possibly some are carried up to us that way.
Some milkweed survives all winter, again in warm microclimates. Across our
area,most is sticks right now, ready to go. In my yard, several stems have
already leafed out. They've probably been out a week.
My Mother lives in Naples, Fl, in the extreme SW corner of the state. She
has had caterpillars strip her plants several times this winter.
I know that the migration study in Kansas regards butterflies who
overwinter in Florida as "lost" or "confused", but I think this is a bit
presumptious. While the ability of the butterfly to become semi-dorman

Jacksonville, FL

Latitude: 30.3 Longitude: -81.8

Observed by: Becky Wern
Contact Observer

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