Date: 09/26/2024

Number: 2

have seen several monarchs , two were twirling- not certain if that indicates breeding behavior. strong fliers, look fresh- recent eclosion?

We have blooming goldenrod, some CA asters, some still blooming buddleia. have not seen any nectaring.

have additional pics but can only seem to upload one.

This year we didn’t see many monarchs, fewer than usual. Did see eggs on showy milkweed that would disappear. About 5 larva up to third instar or 3/4” , which also vanished overnight. Have seen stinkbugs on the milkweed which could have preyed on them.

neighbors reporting similar, few during breeding season but now seeing quite a few. Berkeley, CA is known to have some yr round population, hoping we’re seeing migrators. Unfortunately quite a lot of tropical milkweed in the neighborhood- Dr Karen Oberhauser thought the fascicularis was ok as senesces, but that migrators encountering blooming milkweed could break reproductive diapause, speeding up their metabolism, and likely they wouldn’t last through the Fall overwintering.

Berkeley, CA

Latitude: 37.9 Longitude: -122.3

Observed by: Grace
Contact Observer

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