Date: 04/07/1999

Number: 1

I am responding to your request for 1st sighting info for the map. We saw the 1st Monarch this year on April 7, at about 11:30 a.m. as we went to the playground. It was a beautiful, 70 degree day, with light winds. The butterfly was flying low to the ground, but flitting around. It didn't land, so I could not identify the sex. It was slightly faded, but not tattered. In the next 3 or 4 days, I saw 2 more individuals, all flying low, but not stopping. At that point, the milkweed had not emerged. I found no milkweed for 2 weeks after that (and saw no more Monarchs). However, last week (May 8), on our farm, the milkweed was 10-12 inches tall, and although we have not seen the Monarchs, the milkweed is full of caterpillars! We collected more than 50 of all sizes in about 1/2 an hour---and certainly did not visit all of the plants (about 2 acres)! My brother and I are raising these caterpillars in our classrooms. 2 have changed to chrysalid today in my room, the rest are munching

Nashville, TN

Latitude: 36.2 Longitude: -86.8

Observed by: Becky
Contact Observer

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