Monday, August 8, 2016

The best way to monitor changes in the monarch population
each year is to visit breeding areas around the state. For the last ten years
that is exactly what we’ve done, visiting milkweed rich habitats in Canelo,
Show Low, Springerville, Flagstaff and other representative locations where
monarchs thrive. Just as other insect populations vary from year to year, so do
monarchs. But this year I was fortunate to have Dr. Karen Oberhauser, Monarch Joint
Venture (MJV) Chair and Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) founder, join
me last week monitoring the Forest Service area in Canelo along Turkey Creek.

Monarch larva on A. subverticillata

I’m very fortunate to have known Karen a long time and she
was very influential in growing my own interest in monarch biology. For years
we have talked about the rich milkweed thickets in southeast Arizona in the Sky
Island region, home of the most dense monarch population almost every summer. She
was presenting at a workshop in Tucson, so the timing was ripe for our long
hoped adventure. We left Tucson surrounded by pockets of monsoon rains but when
we arrived in the higher elevation Canelo, conditions were perfect with
temperatures in the mid-70’s and mostly sunny skies. Recent abundant rains created
a lush blanket of milkweed with monarch and queens feasting at the rich nectar
banquet. It didn’t take long to find the first monarch larva in tall fields of
Horsetail Milkweed, Asclepias
subverticillata.

5th instar frass

As we explored the abundant swales we found a diversity of
butterflies nectaring on Butterflyweed, A.
tuberosa, as well. That’s when Karen first spotted the frass, “That’s a
fifth instar’s frass,” and of course she was right. We found several larvae on
the tuberosa, fourth and fifth
instars. As we continued our walk through the tall milkweed we found more and
more larvae. But we kept hoping to find a female oviposting as well. We were
surprised that even though there were more queens than monarchs during this
visit (during the previous week the populations were reversed) we didn’t find
any queen larvae at all. We found more fifth instar frass but no larvae nearby
and surmised they may have been wandering for a place form a chrysalis. In the
past we’ve documented monarch pupa in the grasses.

5th instar monarch larva A. tuberosa

Very worn female in A. subverticillata

In the midst of emerald fields of green, we spotted a quick flash of muted orange - a very worn female nestled deep in the grasses. Her scales were worn and her abdomen thin. Karen pointed out the spermatophore at the tip and said there were likely several of them from multiple matings. But we still hadn't seen any females ovipositing.

Karen Oberhauser pointing out spermatophore

Finally in the less dense areas of milkweed, in the midst of
a composite patch with small wisps of fresh Horsetail Milkweed just emerging,
Karen found what she was looking for, a female laying eggs. Here is a rather
poor and bumpy video of our conversation, and our amazement at the gravid
female’s choice of locations for oviposition.

Time flew by quickly as golden moments in the field often
do. We explored other nearby locations and found patches of Zizotes Milkweed, A. oenotheroides
with eggs, Antelope Horns, A. asperula,
and Engelmann’s Milkweed, A. engelmanniana. We also stopped by
Babocomari Ranch in Elgin to compare the density of milkweed there. It was a
great day with a great scientist in the field!

Thursday, October 8, 2015

The inquiries began last Spring after the announcement of another low monarch butterfly overwintering population in Mexico. "Where can I find monarch eggs to grow to help the population?" Well, the answer seemed easy at the time - grow a large milkweed patch and they will come. Earlier we updated the Southwest Monarch Study webpage with links to local milkweeds as well as a special link on creating a Monarch Waystation with plant recommendations by elevation. But the emails for eggs and larvae continued. And continued. And continued.

Over the summer months we heard about large mass rearing of monarchs in some states. In some cases where larvae were distributed for everyone to have a monarch caterpillar grow in their yard, they weren't healthy. Some didn't survive, others couldn't fully eclose (emerge from its pupal case), were very small or had difficulty flying.

In late July in Phoenix with temperatures hovering around 110°, we received a call from a ranger who reported a monarch along the Salt River. She sent a photo to be sure it was a monarch (it was) and she was laying eggs on Desert Milkweed, Asclepias subulata. A few of us went to monitor the area and counted her eggs. None of the 15+ eggs developed even though they looked fertile.

In early August we received an email requesting a large number of tags by a person who said she had large numbers of monarchs in her yard. This was only days before our record 117° heat wave. After monitoring monarchs in the Phoenix area for many years we have a good idea of their range of absence/presence and monarchs are absent during the summer months. But we are always open to rare sightings. Upon further investigation I learned this individual was a butterfly farmer. A butterfly farmer will raise butterflies and sell them. The problem was monarchs do not thrive or naturally reproduce successfully in Phoenix with our high summer temperatures. Normally monarchs are found in the higher elevations during the summer months where it is cooler.

In early August we received a request from a teacher in the middle elevations of Arizona to visit their classroom to share information about monarchs. They had already ordered monarch larvae from a butterfly farm but they all died, so they were receiving a second batch by mail for the students to watch grow. A Southwest Monarch Study volunteer visited the classroom and brought a wild monarch to tag when she saw the condition of a freshly eclosed monarch from the butterfly farm. So we discussed her concerns and talked her through how to test for OE. Out of 40 larvae, only six successfully became an adult. Of those many had high levels of OE and others did not look healthy. We are sending the samples to Monarch Health for confirmation.

In our recently published, "Status of Danaus plexippus in Arizona" we found that while Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE)
levels were low in Arizona at 4% in the wild monarch population, in the
few tested farmed monarchs they were much higher at 29%. While we do not know the current OE levels for other
states in the Southwest, based on our experience here in Arizona, we
would urge caution until more is learned. Sick or infected monarchs are
often still well enough to breed and can spread diseases unnecessarily.As a result of the increase of communications requesting a source for monarch eggs and larvae to help increase the population as well as the increase in reports of OE in farm monarchs, the Southwest Monarch Study has joined other monarch scientists and conservationists in recommending against encouraging mass breeding of monarchs in the wild or obtaining farm monarchs due to the increasing chances of spreading diseases to our healthy population here in Arizona. While we applaud the
intentions of those who would release monarchs to replenish the
dwindling population, releasing infected butterflies may be doing more
harm than good. Please take a few moments to read the full statement on Captive Breeding and Releasing Monarchs here. This doesn't mean you shouldn't protect monarch eggs or larvae in your yard in an enclosure if you wish and then tag and release them afterwards. Just be sure to follow the protocols for safe rearing to keep your cage healthy and enjoy them.How can you best help monarchs? Grow milkweed. Grow spring nectar plants to nourish monarchs when milkweed is up but not yet in bloom. Grow stands of fall nectar to fuel their migration.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

The clues were there in spring. Sightings of monarch butterflies were reported in late April and May in Sedona followed by early sightings in Flagstaff. At the time we were thrilled to have new eyes looking for monarchs and larvae in those areas. But as I mentioned in the last post, monarchs were scarce along the east-central portion of Arizona, most notably near the Little Colorado River where the population flourishes especially during August and early September when orange wings are usually everywhere you look. Not this year. Instead a new monarch highway developed.

In general monarch sightings were unusually low throughout the state while the population appeared higher than earlier years in New Mexico, Nevada, even Utah. Reports from the state of Washington also seemed robust. So what happened here? It's unclear. Maybe a late freeze in the last days of May and early June in the higher elevation eliminated the spring migrants in the area. The cooler than normal spring as well as rain could have slowed reproduction and milkweed availability. Or strong monsoon winds could have shifted movements.

Grand Canyon Butterfly Count

While numbers were lower than usual in early August, there was an uptick in numbers as the premigrants moved south through the state in mid August and early September. This movement is a precursor to the main monarch migration appearing about 30 days prior to the peak migration by latitude. Usually this southward moving pulse of monarchs are breeders laying eggs as they move through and their offspring will mature in time to join the main migration. That is exactly what happened as more and more people began reporting monarchs throughout the state beginning in the Grand Canyon where we easily counted 35 monarchs each day three weeks ago with at least six females laying eggs in eye view. Last week they reported more large fifth instar monarch larvae than they've seen all summer.

Steve Plath, Signature Botanica, Sept 23, 2015

So where are the monarchs in Arizona? The pattern appeared in August with numerous sightings in the Grand Canyon, Sedona, followed by increasing numbers in Prescott as the month progressed. Yesterday, Steve Plath of Signature Botanica in Wickenburg was excited to report a monarch in his shade house on Arizona Milkweed, Asclepias angustifolia. But he didn't just have a monarch visit - she was laying eggs. This year it looks like the main thrust of monarchs is in west-central Arizona. Everyone living along this monarch highway may likely see more monarchs than usual, so get your tags ready!

Canelo July 2015

Yes, there are monarchs now throughout the state of Arizona. A monarch and larvae were reported in Mesa the second week of September and Adriane Grimaldi found monarch larvae on Desert Milkweed, Asclepias subulata, in north Scottsdale. A week later Mary Klinkel reported a monarch in the Tucson area followed by a report of another at Tohono Chul that was promptly tagged by Andy Hogan. There are more monarchs in southeast Arizona as well, although the numbers are still lower than recent years. But, so far, the largest density is following the west-central route through Prescott.

The main migration this year seems late. Strong southerly winds could have easily caused a bottle-up in southerly movement. We are watching the skies and reports that filter in. Last year the monarch migration was also two weeks late. Warm temperatures in the southern deserts this weekend could also have slowed their progress. Our paper, Status of Danaus plexippus in Arizona published last June showed that we had the most recoveries (sightings in another location) when upper level winds blow from the northwest to the southeast or from the northeast to the southwest. This was a statistically significant finding.

Enjoy this special time of year as temperatures eventually ease and monarchs move in. Don't forget to report sightings to the Southwest Monarch Study Facebook page and if you are interested in tagging in the southwest there is still time to get tags before the main migration moves through.

Note: Three monarchs were sighted at Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior recently. If we see any monarchs we will tag them as part of this Saturday's Butterfly Walk at Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior beginning at 9 a.m.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Every summer we look forward to visiting the larger monarch breeding habitats in the higher elevations of Arizona. Not only does this offer us a good opportunity for an annual habitat assessment, we can also observe when the breeding season is in progress and compare monarch adults, mating, ovaposition and larvae presence from year to year. June and July are also wonderful times to get away from the greater Phoenix area as desert temperatures soar, so we are always eager to hit the road. Here is a brief overview of some of our findings so far this year.

Queen Butterfly on Dogbane

White Mountains. In mid-June we visited Show Low and Springerville. In some years monarchs were already present in these locations, but not this year. However, both Showy Milkweed, Asclepias speciosa, and Horsetail Milkweed, Asclepias subverticillata, were up and looking healthy. We found over 20 queen butterflies, Danaus gilippus, in Springerville nectaring on Dogbane, Apocynum cannabinum, the premier nectar source for butterflies this time of year.

Pearl Crescents nectaring on A. tuberosa

Canelo. An early visit to Turkey Creek in the southeast part of the state on July 5 found the fields filled with hidden Horsetail Milkweed, A. subverticillata, but none yet in bloom. However, we found healthy Butterflyweed, A. tuberosa, packed with pearl crescent butterflies. After walking through the otherwise empty fields, we spotted one lone queen butterfly and were just about ready to leave when a spark of orange dipped in the grasses. Sure enough, there was one worn female monarch ovapositing on the A. subverticillata woven in the grasses. This is often the largest monarch breeding ground in the state, so this worn female gave us hope for a good breeding population.

Grand Canyon. July 12 found us at the Grand Canyon and we searched several common breeding areas. We only found one male monarch near the South Rim Bright Angel lodge. Still, it was early in the season and the milkweed, A. subverticillata, looked good and was in bloom. By August 3, Robb Hannawacker reported one female laying eggs and four males. A year ago during this time-frame we tagged over 30 monarchs in this same area.

Buffalo Park, Flagstaff

Flagstaff. Later in the day on July 12 we stopped by Buffalo Park in Flagstaff. There was one large male speeding through the abundant Horsetail Milkweed through the center of the park. A few days later another observer noted one monarch at the same location.

Female monarch nectaring on A. subverticillata near Show Low

White Mountains. We returned on the
weekend of July 25 to Show Low, Springerville, Eager, Rudd Creek and other White Mountain locations where the monarch population is normally firmly established by this date. In the past we noted over 20 monarchs at some locations by this time of year with several females laying eggs at each site.This year, we found only one lone monarch in Springerville and another was reported at nearby Becker Lake. The next day, we were ready to leave the field outside of Show Low when movement in the distance caught our eye - a worn female laying eggs - but after hours walking this normally monarch rich location, we found only this one.

Sedona & Prescott. Reports began coming in from both Sedona and Prescott the weekend of August 1, especially after a well-attended (over 100 people!) monarch presentation at Watters Garden Nursery in Prescott. Reports from Sedona (north of Prescott) began first, followed by Prescott area several days later.

Female Monarch Butterfly laying eggs on A. subverticilatta

Canelo. On August 4, three of us returned to Turkey Creek to monitor the breeding population. By now the presence of monarchs and larvae should be notable. Instead, we found only three: one monarch was flying by the road when we first drove in, a male was on a tree branch and one female laying eggs. We did not observe any larvae, patrolling males or monarchs in quantity like previous years. Queens were notable with over 20 flying in the fields and at least five queens ovapositing. The area was very dry - the creek was dust - and only approximately 30% of the Horsetail Milkweed, A. subverticillata, was in bloom. Normally this cienaga calls for boots to slosh through the grasses. Although rains were abundant in nearby Sierra Vista and other locations, this location slipped through the monsoon's cracks. A few A. tuberosa were still in bloom and only limited A. subverticillata nectar was available in this normally rich breeding area.

Fields of verbena outside Show Low

Much can and will change over the upcoming days and weeks before the migration. SoonHorsetail Milkweed, blending well and hidden in the grasslands, will be in bloom. The rains will return and lush growth will likely follow. There are likely larvae and pupae hidden in the fields that will mature.

Each report of a monarch or immature (egg, larva or pupa) is especially important this year. Be sure to post any sightings on the Southwest Monarch Study Facebook Page or Email Southwest Monarch Study with location information and/or photos. The numbers are low, but don't panic. Remember the monarch migration will likely sweep monarchs from further north and east as well through Arizona and the Southwest. So far indicators are that many parts of the West (especially Washington) and Southwest (especially Nevada and New Mexico) are having an exceptionally good breeding season for monarchs. Our local numbers could be lower because our late Spring cool spell and freezes in the mid and higher elevations could have affected our local summer breeding population. Soon a wave of breeding monarchs will begin sweeping through the entire state about a month before the peak migration for each latitude. This will help repopulate monarchs in each region and their offspring will in time join the migration in September and October.

Want to tag? Tagging helps us determine monarch migration destination but also where they may spend the winter locally. Tagging also helps us learn monarch absence/presence. Email the Southwest Monarch Study for tags if you live in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, western Colorado or the deserts of California. Act soon - over 1,000 tags have already been distributed. The monarch migration is right around the corner!

Saturday, January 17, 2015

This week, several news articles appeared based on a recent study questioning the wisdom of planting Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias curassavica. In many cases the headlines were sensational and pointed fingers at home gardeners as villains. I'd like to take a few moments to sift through some of the misunderstandings and urge calm garden practices. The study is very well done but only focuses in areas home to Eastern monarchs where native milkweeds die back each winter. Even so, it is important to review their findings and see how it applies to us in the Southwest.

Monarch larva in Zitacuaro

Scientists have long voiced concern about the increasing number of monarch butterflies overwintering in the southern United States, particularly in Texas and the Gulf Coast. We all know monarch butterflies are dependent on milkweed (Asclepias) as their only host plant. The recent plummet in the monarch population has encouraged more people than ever to grow milkweed to help the monarch population increase. But native milkweeds aren't always easy to find. More and more stores are now only selling Tropical Milkweed, also known as Bloodflower (and other common names), Asclepias curassavica. This milkweed is native to Mexico and is also found near the overwintering sites. Last winter in late February we found monarch larvae at the hotel where we were staying in Zitacuaro in Mexico shortly after finding monarchs mating at the nearby overwintering sites.

Tropical milkweed is easy to grow from seed and so it has become popular with home gardeners. Monarchs love it, in fact many people feel it is monarch candy - monarchs can't resist it. In most parts of the country, native milkweed dies back during the winter months. Tropical milkweed is frost tender and will die back in areas with a hard freeze, so it is grown as an annual in the northern states. But in some areas in the south, A. curassavica can thrive during the winter months. Breeding monarchs will find the milkweed and lay their eggs profusely, often devouring all the leaves, stripping branches bare.

So what's the problem? Enter in the rising concern about Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (O.e.). Studies have shown that high levels of O.e. are lethal to monarch butterflies. O.e. is higher in year round monarch populations. Mating with an infected monarch spreads O.e. Spores from an infected monarch can be present on milkweed leaves and then ingested by monarch larvae increasing the incidence of O.e. in the population as well. It is a rising concern and exactly why this study was done.

I've received many emails and FB posts on the Southwest Monarch Study Facebook page with people in a panic, urging everyone to rip out A. curassavica in their gardens. I'm seeing good-hearted and passionate people creating a great divide and finger pointing. But in this time of low monarch populations, I'd like to urge everyone to take some time to step back and think things through a bit. First, everyone who is growing milkweed, no matter the species, should be commended for their efforts to grow the monarch butterfly's only host plant. Right now increasing habitats is number one and you are part of the solution. Second, we need to urge plant nurseries to grow more native milkweeds. There is a serious lack of options in many parts of the United States.

Desert Milkweed, Asclepias subulata

Native milkweed seeds can be difficult to grow, more tutorials (both written and in videos) need to be available for optimal success. We recently posted one on our Southwest Monarch Study Facebook page featuring an easy way to start Desert Milkweed, Asclepias subulata, that does not require cold-stratification. In order to do this, more native milkweed seeds need to be available. Luckily, the Xerces Society recently stepped in to help with their Milkweed Seed Finder. Or, you can order milkweed plugs from the successful Monarch Watch Milkweed Market.The Southwest Monarch Study will offer free Desert Milkweed seeds soon on our FB page.

Why am I urging calm here in the Southwest? For one simple reason. So far, here in Arizona, O.e. levels are very low, an average of 4.3% over four years. The infected monarchs were all in Southeast Arizona breeding grounds, not in the small number of overwintering monarch populations. In the West, O.e. levels are predicted to be about 30%. We recently included this information in part of a larger paper for publication that is currently in peer review. In the chart below, only category 3, samples with more than 100 spores are considered highly infected by Monarch Health.

Results of O.e. testing by Monarch Health of monarchs in Arizona

There are three important questions that need answers:

Is it Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, that is a concern, or is it any milkweed? In the Southwestern low deserts we have four native evergreen milkweeds: Desert Milkweed (A. subulata), Pineleaf Milkweed (A. linaria), Arizona Milkweed (A. angustifolia), and Asclepias albicans. It isn't uncommon to see a few late monarch stragglers fly through and lay eggs on these milkweeds in December and January. We offer a unique opportunity here in the Southwest to learn more about monarchs during the winter. We are currently monitoring two sites and hope to share this information in the future.

Pineleaf Milkweed, Asclepias linaria

What is the effect of temperature on monarch breeding in the fall? 2014 was the warmest on record. Is it the presence of milkweed or is it warmer temperatures that trigger breeding in late eclosing monarchs in November and December?

Where is Tropical Milkweed naturalizing? So far in Arizona, Asclepias curassavica is only an irrigated garden specialty. We have no evidence of naturalizing in our extreme dry climate and temperatures. Continued monitoring is crucial as this could change over time. Furthermore, native evergreen milkweeds far outnumber the small amount of Tropical Milkweed available.

Desert Milkweed, Asclepias subulata

What should you do?

Plant milkweed! If you only have Tropical Milkweed, add natives this Spring. Several are now available in Tucson, Phoenix and Yuma. Native Desert Milkweed, Asclepias subulata, is a monarch favorite. It is a common landscaping plant as well.

Monitor monarchs using your milkweed as a host plant. If you have larvae, test freshly eclosed adult monarchs for O.e.

Encourage your local plant nursery to carry NATIVE milkweeds! We are so lucky to have so many native species that thrive in our hot, dry climate in full sun.

Grow native milkweed and share them with friends, relatives, coworkers, etc. Encourage your workplace, church, nature center and city parks to include milkweed in their plant selections. If they are adding plants for a more pleasing landscape, why not native milkweeds?

If you grow Tropical Milkweed be sure to cut it back periodically.

I hope this helps. I want it to be clear I am not in disagreement with this study, in fact I'm very supportive and glad this is finally published. So let's use this information to benefit the monarchs and learn more about their life cycle here in the Southwest.

Monday, December 29, 2014

As 2014 is ending, another storm looms along the Pacific coast setting its aim on California and the southwest. In early December we visited several of the monarch butterfly overwintering sites along the coast and had the unique experience of watching how monarch butterflies respond to strong winds, heavy rains and coastal flooding. We were able to witness how adaptable and resilient monarchs are in their response to challenging weather conditions.

We arrived at the Oceano Campground in Pismo Beach at 2 p.m. on December 10. After setting up camp we quickly drove to see the overwintering monarch population before dark at the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove just north of the campground on Highway 1. A major winter storm was arriving the following day with high winds and heavy rains in the forecast.The recently completed Thanksgiving Count for this site reported a total of 30,000 monarchs this year and we were hoping to see the normal distribution of monarchs at this location before the high winds began the following day.

Monarchs were located inside the circle of eucalyptus and cypress trees in the grove, densest on branches that would receive limited afternoon sun through a southerly opening. Their greatest numbers were directly north of the opening in a protected tree canopy and on a large branch on the south stretching over the walkway. A few fluttered nearby but most were already in clusters or tucked densely as singletons in nearby trees.

We also learned from docents at the grove that the grove was experiencing more monarch breeding with larvae and pupae still present on nearby milkweed. In fact there was a monarch in "J" hanging on the side of a milkweed as well as a chrysalis on a table for everyone to see.

The next morning we returned to the grove and watched as the monarchs responding to the increasing winds throughout the morning and afternoon.

We made several trips during the course of the day observing monarch behavior at the Pismo Monarch Butterfly Grove and another site at Oceano Campground where we staying. The winds were blowing from the south and shifting at times to the southwest and southeast, increasing in intensity to 45 to 50 mph. Already by 10 a.m. the monarchs were beginning to concentrate on the north side of the inner tree circle, particularly on the cypress trees.

We found them taking to the air trying to relocate to a more favorable location and a strong gust would toss some into nearby trees or a few even to the ground. Their storm-tossed flight was halted only temporarily as the monarchs were persistent in their determination to find a safe port to weather the storm.

By afternoon many of the monarchs had left the safety of the inner tree circle and moved to the

northern perimeter of the site for a safe haven from the persistently increasing winds from the south. Some moved to the eucalyptus trees across the highway. We watched as the monarchs began to form small clusters on the northern side of the cypress trees in high locations but tucked under the highest branches. But others moved to the lower branches of small oaks and other bushes right above the creek in the grove. Many of the smaller clusters were forming on branches only about eight to ten feet high right over the creek. We knew that the rains would blast in from the north later that evening and were concerned about monarch survival on these lower locations.

While a safe refuge from the winds, heavy rains could toss them into the creek not too far below. Sustained winds were now at 31 mph with gusts over 50 mph as darkness fell.

Then the rains came. Winds howled as heavy rains from the north blasted the area in darkness. At 11 p.m. an imminent flood siren pealed waking everyone in the campground to be aware of possible rising water. While we were lucky to have a campsite on slightly higher ground, others had standing water of two to four inches deep nearby. Road dips filled with standing water as did low areas nearby.

It was 52 degrees and cloudy at 9 a.m. when we walked out to the nearby monarch site at Oceano campground. Most of the monarchs were tossed to the ground with only about one quarter still clinging to tree branches above.

At first we saw one, then about 20 to 25 monarchs grasping the tops of twigs in the ravine, but as we looked closer, we saw hundreds. Most were closed-winged but then one began to shiver and flew to a nearby tree branch. Despite being storm-tossed to the ground, overall these monarchs looked good - they were survivors. The poison oak in the area made it tricky to observe at times.

By 9:30 a.m. it was partly cloudy and we returned to the Pismo Beach Monarch Grove. Temperature was still at 52 degrees as we arrived. No one was there. Branches and leaves now covered the walkway. The monarch clusters in the tree circle were greatly reduced, although we did find smaller numbers of monarchs lower in the trees. It took a few moments to adjust your eyes to see the monarchs covering the ground.

Their closed wings looked like other dead leaves littering the grounds. A few were covered with mud.

But then, as the temperatures began to slowly warm, orange wings flew open across the area, pulsing rhythmically, as grounded monarchs began to shiver, warming their chilled muscles. One by one, they lifted off to the safety of nearby trees.

But what happened to the monarchs that decided to move to the north side of the cove? We walked towards the bridge and found the creek swollen, brushing the bottom of the bridge. Small streams were spilling over the walkway and we looked for downed branches to access the area where the monarchs moved the day before.

Our feet were soaked from all the moving water, but we finally made our way to where we last saw the monarchs as night fell. The monarchs high in the cypress tree seemed to fare well and any that were storm-tossed fell on higher ground. But the monarchs that were hanging about the now swollen creek were gone.

We found just a few in small clusters about 10 to 12 feet about the ground and one lone monarch clinging to a branch just inches above the rushing water.

We made several trips to both the Oceano and Pismo Beach sites during the day watching the monarchs recover and once again cover the trees with orange wings warming in the rising sun. By nightfall all was well and the monarchs were once again tucked in to their traditional branches in the groves. The storm offered us a unique opportunity to witness the monarch's storm survival strategies.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Monarchs arrived on schedule in the high country of Arizona at the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and the White Mountains this summer, but numbers were modest compared to last year's abundant population. We saw monarchs at more locations but at lower numbers when we did. With our ample monsoon rains we were hoping the population would increase as summer progressed but instead the migration through the greater Phoenix area was weak with limited sightings. Usually early September brings breeding monarchs laying eggs everywhere but this year reports were only occasional. Instead most monarchs sweeping through the area in late September and early October appeared to be in diapause with both males and females stopping to feed deeply, but had little interest in mating or oviposition despite rich stands of milkweed in bloom.

First egg-laying monarch October 24

In late October that all changed. Normally a time of diminishing monarch presence turned into a monarch explosion. Suddenly reports of monarchs soared as did breeding and oviposition. The milkweed was ready yet the fall pattern this year was rather startling compared to earlier years. Fall temperatures were warm and they likely facilitated another monarch generation locally. Heavy rains in September and warm temperatures created an ideal lush milkweed and nectar banquet and now monarchs and other butterflies are filling the skies. Instead of November, it seems like late September.

4th instar monarch larva November 9

Rather than a late larva, this is the first one of fall in my yard. At least three adult monarchs are flying every day as well as the queens, gulf frits, cloudless sulphurs, sleepy oranges and more. It's been a very unusual fall.

About Me

Gail is the Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist for Arizona, the Coordinator of the SW Monarch Study and serves on the Board of Directors of the Monarch Butterfly Fund. She is also a trainer for the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project and participates in Monarch Health. A life-long gardener, Gail completed the Master Gardener Training in 1996 and the Desert Garden Mastership Program in 2011. She is also a volunteer for AZ State Parks, Rainlog, COCORAH, a storm spotter for the National Weather Service in Phoenix and a member of CAzBA (Central Arizona Butterfly Association). Her husband, Bob, joins in the fun and enjoys photographing wings and things in the field.