Date: 08/23/2009

Number: 1

MONARCH WAYSTATION #613


41° 20' N 83° 7' W

Have 39 chrysalis’ and 6 large cats ready to crawl to the top of the rearing cage and “J”. I haven’t collected any eggs since August 16 when I found only 2. On August 16, 2008, I collected 30 eggs in one day and released Monarchs through September 4th! It’s been a dismal egg-collecting season compared to last year. Here’s some comparisons:

2009: Total eggs collected = 132

2008:Total eggs collected = 219

2009: Total eggs hatched = 67

2008 Total eggs hatched = 136

2009: Total Monarchs release = 57 (Projected)

2008: Total Monarchs released = 87

So far, I’ve checked for OE and released 10 Monarchs (4 males, 5 females, 1= DK). The predatory toll on Monarchs was great this year. Literally every milkweed plant had earwigs on them, at the top, nestled between the new leaf shoots. Many eggs I collected were intact, but empty inside with a slight slit in the side. Most of the 65 Monarch fatalities I had this year were from this egg predator which left the same M.O.: intact empty shell with slit on side of egg wall, sucked out the innards! Also noticed influx of spiders of all sorts on the Common Milkweed plants, including crab spiders, compared to last year. For some reason, the Swamp Milkweed housed far fewer Monarch-unfriendly insects.

Interestingly, the total number of eggs collected from my yard (Waystation No. 613) = 82 eggs. 28 of these eggs came off Common Milkweed, while 54 eggs were collected off Swamp Milkweed. So, 34% of the eggs were collected off Common MW, while 66% of the eggs were laid on Swamp MW. The Swamp & Common MW’s are pretty well equally dispersed throughout Waystation No. 613, so the observation begs the question: “Do female Monarchs have a preference for Swamp MW over Common MW regarding egg-depositing?”

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Fremont, OH

Latitude: 41.4 Longitude: -83.1

Observed by:
Contact Observer

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