Date: 08/11/2011

Number: 1

While giving a tour to three visitors from Cumberland, WI, three monarch butterflies were spotted at the Monarch Butterfly Habitat in Shell Lake. Monarchs looked like new adults. They were fresh and brightly colored with no aged tattered wings or scale discoloration. One was male and two were female.

A monarch caterpillar about 2 inches long was also sighted on native grass. It was nearly ready to pupate and looking for a place far from the host plant (milkweed) to turn into the J shape and make its transformation into the next life phase of its life cycle. A little girl on the tour got down to the ground to watch in fascination.

Shell Lake, WI

Latitude: 45.7 Longitude: -92

Observed by: Mary Ellen
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