Monarch Butterflies

 

Monarch Butterfly Habitat Observations
On a regular basis, go outside and watch the fall season transform the world around you. Notice changes in sunlight, temperatures, and plants--just as monarch butterflies do. Record your observations on the datasheet below. How quickly do temperatures and photoperiod change? When does the first frost occur? What happens to the flowers?

How is monarch habitat changing?
Why do monarchs migrate when they do?

Overview and Instructons
(Click to download data sheet.)

Location

Record your town and state/province, and also your latitude and longitude. (This is your "global address.")

Photoperiod

Record today's sunrise and sunset, then calculate today's photperiod. ("Photoperiod" means length of day. Count the number of daylight hours between sunrise and sunset to calculate photoperiod.)

Temperatures

Record today's high and low temperatures. Then calculate today's average temperature. When does it become too cold for monarchs to fly? When does the first frost to occur?

Plants

Flowers: Monarchs need to find nectar all along their migration route to Mexico. Can you find any flowers in bloom today? How do the flowers change over time? What happens to the flowers when frost occurs? Keep track of the last date you see flowers.

Milkweed: Monarchs need milkweed to reproduce--and it takes about one month to grow from egg to adult when average temperatures are about 70F. (In colder temperatures, it takes much longer). Can monarchs find the plants they need to reproduce where you live? Are temperatures warm enough, long enough?

Monarch Butterflies

Watch for monarchs. Also, check Journey North's migration maps to see if other people in your region are seeing monarchs. Where is the nearest sighting? (Measure how far away that monarch is from your hometown, and record.)

Is your habitat suitable for monarchs today? Why or why not? Consider food, water, shelter, and space. Which components are already missing or in short supply? Which components do you think will be gone soon?

Can you find any monarch eggs or larvae on milkweed? Count the number of eggs & larvae per plant and record. (This indicates whether the monarchs in or passing through your region could be in reproductive condition.)


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