Date: 04/27/2008

Number: 1

Although swamp milkweed and narrow leafed milkweed (A verticillata) have put forth a few shoots in the garden, searching in areas with known populations of common milkweed and green antelope horn milkweed (A viridis), generally the first two milkweeds to send up shoots here, have failed to produce any signs of first shoots. Monarchs have been here for a week (since the 20th) but were only active from the 20th to the 22nd due to cooler temperatures toward the end of the week. There is no doubt that monarchs are ahead of the milkweed in this area. Generally, the first appearance of the butterflies and the milkweeds is well synchronized but not this year.

Last year the ornamental fruit trees on campus (about 10-15
varieties) reached peak bloom on the 2nd of April, 12 days earlier than normal. This year the these trees reached peak bloom on the 24th of April - 10 days later than normal. Quit a change from one year to the next!

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Lawrence, KS

Latitude: 39 Longitude: -95.2

Observed by:
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