Date: 09/14/2014

Number: 45

Today (9/14), I witnessed my first decent push of migrant Monarchs here in Riley County, KS. While doing collections for a Plant Taxonomy class, I was surrounded by hundreds of blooming Dotted Gayfeather (Liatris punctata), Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera), Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani), and others. On all these wonderful nectar plants were dozens of Monarchs loading up on nectar and heading slowly south (final estimate after 3.5 hours ~ 45). I noticed that in this early push, the Monarchs were not as frantic and oblivious to my presence as they usually are during our peak in a week or so, when you can easily walk right up to them while they probe desperately for nectar, and they are observed moving southward with greater zeal.

I also noted that out here in the Flint Hills, I have been finding numerous larvae in various stages (3rd-5th instar), especially on Milkweed Vine (Cynanchum laeve) over the past week. I don't recall seeing many larvae this late into September in past years. I hope the weather cooperates and allows these later larvae to mature and head south to Mexico.

Looking forward to increasing numbers of Monarchs,

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Riley County, KS

Latitude: 39.3 Longitude: -96.8

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