Date: 10/08/2011

Number: 60

There was the large number of monarchs around Monarch Watch last evening (10/8)- at least 60 - about 4 days after the last date (4 October) when it is usually possible to find monarchs in modest numbers on heath asters in the field. We have had a superabundance of monarchs at MW for over a week and it got me thinking..

We have 6 large A.curassavica in full bloom in front of the entrance to our building and for the last 9 days, as one approached the entrance, a cloud of 20-40 monarchs lifted off and drifted to the north on the south winds only to come back to the flowers within minutes. It has been quite a sight and Jim Lovett posted a video on Facebook that captured some of the action.

There are several reasons for this assemblage - there are good numbers of late monarchs, strong S and SW winds and above normal temperatures are limiting opportunities to migrate and lastly Monarch Watch and Monarch Waystation #1 is an oasis in an otherwise mostly dry landscape.

This morning while taking a break in our "Park" (an area covered with mulch among ash, elm and oak trees behind our building) behind the building, I noticed stems in the rain garden where swamp milkweed should have been. On inspection, I found 5 fifth instar larvae finishing the last of the swamp milkweed leaves. That's not too surprising here at the lab but last week in the country, I also found 5ths feeding on cut-over but re-sprouted common milkweed. Those larvae would probably become adults between the 15th and 20th of Oct
- well beyond the get out of town date of 4 Oct or earlier.

It is also the case that there is a good turnover among these monarchs. We are releasing tagged monarchs at this time. They join the untagged monarchs for most of a day and then disappear as if moving on. similarly, monarchs with distinctive marks are seen for a day or so and then they are gone.

Last night at 7 - almost complete dark here - I looked for clusters in the trees near the Biohouse and in our "park". The monarchs were scattered - the temperature was near 80F - and the biggest cluster I found only contained 4 individuals. Above normal to normal temperatures are expected to continue for the next 9 days.

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Lawrence, KS

Latitude: 39 Longitude: -95.2

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