Date: 10/12/2011

Number: 1

I am currently stationed on the Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory located on Gibraltar Island in the Western Bain of Lake Erie. We have just completed OSU's very first Monarch Waystation located on South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay), Ohio. We've tagged 87 Monarchs this summer, most from a massive sunflower field just down the road from the new waystation. I've also taken it upon myself to 'save' chrysalids who chose unsafe places like the dorm overhangs and our boot racks. I kept them on the porch using MonarchWatch's recommendations for their transport and care but about half the the 10 or so i rescued never emerged. They all looked like cases of OE to me, but I'm no expert. Has anyone ever researched the extent of OE on the islands?

Most Monarchs seemed to disappear here in mid to late September, in fact, i went a whole week without seeing one. However, this past week the lake has graced us with great weather; Plenty of sunshine and temps reaching 65-78F. I saw about 5 Monarchs this week, most nectaring around Gibraltar. Unfortunately today has brought temps in the high 50's and low 60's with winds from the SE and a steady cold rain. There is still one very lonely 5th instar caterpillar in our new waystation (it's so nice he doesn't want to leave!).

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Gibraltar Island, OH

Latitude: 41.7 Longitude: -82.8

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