Date: 10/11/2014

Number: 24

Since last Saturday, October 11 and until now (10/18) we have had no less than 2 dozen Monarchs daily in our garden. They favor the Mexican sunflower, but also nectar on lantana and buddlea blooms. We live on a hilltop, but are surrounded by trees, so they don't get a clear vista as they fly over. They come up the road, then make a detour into the garden. This is several years in succession for this pattern. I'm wondering if they send out pheromones to attract others to come? Or, we also speculate if the 4th generation can find it's way to Mexico, couldn't they also return to the same good nectar sources? Ideas anyone?

The sunflower patch gets shade by 4 pm each day, and it's interesting to note that when the sun is shining, they nectar with wings open. But when the shade hits, or if there is a cool stiff breeze, they nectar with wings closed.

Courtesy of Carolina Leps

Asheboro, NC

Latitude: 35.6 Longitude: -79.8

Observed by:
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.