Papilio Polyxenes

[Ct Yankee]

#6 released today, although she would have busted out if not set free - fiesty lady .  4 chrysalises up, many eggs/caterpillars. Oh yes, 38 quarts of blueberries from my 6 bushes, we will hit 50 - new outdoor record  !

[jFarley]

Random data point: I happened to see a Monarch today while taking a letter down to the mailbox.

Yet another Random Data Point:  In the last week, I have usually noted about a dozen Monarchs at a time in the yard.  They seem very frisky.

[ChrisSmolinski]

I saw another Monarch today while out driving.

"The plural of anecdote is data" 

[fpeconsultant]

I recently read an article in a WI Outdoor News magazine that claimed that so called "home grown" Monarchs don't migrate south with their "naturally propagated" brethren and thus die when cold weather hits.  I don't know if this is true but the claim was made to explain why all of the "home grow" methods made by people trying to "save the monarch" really aren't working.
The article also claimed that the reason they (and many pollinators) are in decline is because the are developing a form of Alzheimer's disease: they know they shouldn't stay where they are but they can't remember where to go.......like bees that leave a hive never to be seen again.  The article blamed pesticides.
All I know is on my 3 acres near Chicago I have seen more Monarchs this year than in the past 10.  I have at least 2-300 wild milkweed plants that sprout up each year but I have never interfered in the monarchs natural cycle - even last week when I stumbled upon a walking stick devouring a monarch caterpillar.  Darwinism.

[Davep]

Glad to hear of your milkweed plantations, FP !  Plant and leave be ,no one will argue with.
I'm a firm believer in the environment taking care of itself too, thats best but only works in a balance
Like a car, you jack with one system it effects another.  Theres no doubt the use of current pesticides/ gmo is going down a short term profit / long term costs road.
As for bringing them into a managed environment , i admit i have no idea how this effects any outcome.
 Ive tried to contemplate that and the only thing i think that makes a difference is how many in the last gen before winter no matter how many in prior generations.
Several monarch chrysalis have been found wintering 10 miles south of here (zone 8a)near Sandbridge by butterfly extremist that were surprised , so all is not known.
Theres really very little data and a lot of theory.
I found by bringing them in, you learn a great deal of minutia that may not be of actual worth just facinating. You get a good feeling when they fly away . The grandchildren demanded it this year , they delight in it and the transformations in this day of electronic entertainment, they still love a bug in a jar. I feel good about that and hope it might spark a life interest in nature .  The neighbors have all dropped by and asked what we were doing and so they got a big education. If nothing else a few more people were made aware .

I guess. 

[Ct Yankee]

There is a company called Nature Works in Northford, Ct about a half dozen miles south of me.  They just sold plants outdoors until monarchs naturally came.  Now, they are also raising and educating on monarchs - they release several hundred a year (I have wondered if several of my visitors flew from there).  Nature Works tags all their butterflies, at least two of their raised butterflies were recovered in Mexico.

I will give some merit to the notion that domestically raised butterflies may lose some innate navigation skills.  I will add from the experience of releasing 3 dozen butterflies that ones I release earlier in the summer head north, later in the summer they fly south.  I have a good expanse to monitor them once they leave my yard.

I am also seeing more monarchs then ever before, they are coming through daily. 

[fpeconsultant]

Yes CT Yankee & Dave I agree with your posts.  We will probably never know if humans are helping by home growing monarchs but I'd be willing to bet we aren't hurting the situation.
Maybe someday we will know all of these answers.  Or not....
FPE

[Josh]

Still haven't seen many monarchs but their predators, the dragonflies, are fairly common. Plenty of the black and yellows around still.

[ChrisSmolinski]

No Monarchs seen today while doing about 5 hours of yard work, but I did see the usual Swallowtails and other assorted butterflies.

[ChrisSmolinski]

I received this SSTV image this morning on 14230 USB

[Davep]

Thanks Chris!
This year is starting out not so well.  Not seeing much at all as of today. In fact not many insects at all.
There were some chilly days in late spring , don't know if it has anything to do with it

CT Yankee sent this.

https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/eastern-monarch-butterfly-population-plunges-more-half-2020-03-13/

[ChrisSmolinski]

I have seen some Monarchs, not many, but I rarely do. There's some milkweed growing in various areas in the yard, I'm trying to avoid weeding out what I can.

[fpeconsultant]

Have seen at most a dozen monarchs in my area west of the shooting gallery known as Chicago - lots of dragon flies - no praying mantis yet.  Hot hot hot here.
FPE

[MDK2]

I've seen one monarch butterfly this year. That was actually the first I've seen in several years. We're getting milkweed plants for our garden so hopefully next year or the one after, we'll have them breeding here.

[Ct Yankee]

Tally so far this year - One monarch released earlier this week, one chrysalis hanging, 5 caterpillars in take out food container abodes, and 1 egg.  Monarchs around every afternoon (plus three types of swallowtails that polished off the dill.) in unkempt, weed strewn butterfly garden.