Date: 08/08/2010

Number: 1

Three mating pairs all under same live oak tree, the National Champion (largest) Texas Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis) which is why we were there. Under the tree was a large patch of Cowpen Daisies. Feeding on them were several Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Queens, Verigated Frit, and multitudes of Bordered Patches, many of those paired.

This location is about 100 miles NW from home and I haven't been there before. We were there for less than 30 minutes. We live southwest of Glen Rose, Texas. We have been here since 2001. Here I see definite Monarchs only a few times in the summer, but I am not searching specifically for them or chasing down every orange butterfly. I have pictures from Aug 2 and 3 of 2009 for example. As you note Queens are common and there are several other generally orange-colored species here. (In the summer I always assume not-a-Monarch unless I have a clear view or get a photo. I don't recall other Monarch mating flights mid-summer, but I have seen a handful just before and during fall migration period. I have many fall migration photos, but don't recall if they include any of mating flights.)

So the question I guess is were these Monarchs breeding during fall migration, or did they go no further north in the spring so the last generation can be later that at north end of range, or are they from a non-migratory group?

Graham, TX

Latitude: 33.1 Longitude: -98.6

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