Date: 08/24/2022

Number: 2

A pair of monarchs were in the process of a mating attempt while perched among whorled milkweed flower umbels in a stand established along the Rio Grande. After a few minutes the attempt was abandoned when one of the pair flew away. However, the second of the pair remained in the milkweed flowers strenuously flapping its wings forward and backward. On closer inspection, its legs and perhaps thorax near the wings had become trapped within the flower pedicels and fine leaves of an umbel; thus it was not possible for it to mate. The early afternoon was sunny, warm, and with a light wind.

Mesilla, NM

Latitude: 32.3 Longitude: -106.8

Observed by: James
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