Date: 05/08/2012

Number: 1

Our monarch observations for the past week have dropped to about 3-4 per day.

The winds over the past week or so have moved most all of the monarchs to the areas north of us.

That is obvious from the numerous reports of monarchs in the upper Midwest and beyond.

The last few days have been wet and we are getting some much needed precipitation.

Our vegetation had been turning shades of yellow, green and brown and desperately needed the recent rains.

Already we are beginning to see it respond and new growth is occurring in the fields around us.

We still see lots of butterflies but the monarchs have continued their journey farther north.



We do however have the continuance of a 2nd generation of monarchs left by the departing 1st generation.

Larvae and a few chrysalides still remain and continue to evolve thru their lifecycle.

The milkweed is still supporting them although it was devoured significantly by the 1st generation and has diminished due to lack of rain.

The recent rains will help correct that in the days ahead at least we hope it does.

It’s been almost 2 months since our first monarch from Mexico arrived here in Driftwood (March 11th).

Our first 1st generation monarch appeared on April 11th and we suspect that we have seen a few 2nd generation in the past day or so.

Our warm temperatures have accelerated the lifecycle process and we expect that to also happen to those north of us.

Driftwood, TX

Latitude: 30.1 Longitude: -98

Observed by: Chuck
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