Date: 10/01/2016

Number: 400

There were hundreds of monarchs in Cades Cove inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A group of us were out there and we tagged 167 monarchs which for this location is the most in one day ever. Most of the monarchs tagged were males, only 31 females. (Is this typical? More males than females migrating?) I have been tagging monarchs since 1998 at this location so this is so remarkable. In every direction, there were monarchs actively getting nectar on White Heath Asters. The butterflies were not resting or flocking together but finding nectar and very active. Some males were chasing the few females that were present and one pair were noted to be mating. (is this typical?) It was a nice block of asters and monarchs in every direction. This is generally a good spot to see monarchs this time of year but this was more than ever before reported at this site.

Townsend, TN

Latitude: 35.6 Longitude: -83.8

Observed by: Wanda
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