Northern Monarchs

hpazures at aol.com hpazures at aol.com
Thu Oct 26 07:06:18 EDT 2006


Gloria:
 
The Monarchs you saw up north should make it, unless it stays unseasonably cold.  Actually, the Monarchs DO move when it is below 70F, otherwise the northeastern migration would be severely hampered.  Several years ago, I observed a Monarch in early November, feeding on a Buddleia in my northern Virginia garden in the morning.  It was about 35F outside, with a brisk wind, so cold that I had to observe it from indoors.  The Monarch was behaving "normally" (flying about my garden) except it did "sun" itself quite frequently with wings open.  The night before, the temps went down into the upper 20's.  Yet this Monarch seemed quite active.  I reported this to Monarch watch.
 
Not only do Monarchs apparently overwinter in Florida, but they apparently regularly overwinter in surprising (though small) numbers along the Carolina coast, as indicated by reports over the past several years.  This past winter (2005-2006), there were several reports throughout the winter from Virginia Beach.  These were apparently in "non-migratory mode".
 
How much we still have to learn about this remarkable insect.
 
Harry Pavulaan
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: gaugeri at wesleyan.edu
To: ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu
Sent: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 6:24 PM
Subject: Northern Monarchs


 
Last Thursday (10/19/2006) as I drove north on Interstate 91 (heading to Pittsburg, NH/Connecticut Lakes), in the area of the turnoff or Routes 2 & 93, I saw several Monarchs heading sw. Unfortunately, they were flying and being blown (a windy day) down into traffic level. There was snow in The Great North Woods the next day so I hope they made it to shelter. 
 
The weekend before that I was on Chebeague Island (Maine) and again saw many Monarchs feeding. They did not seem to be flying south. 
 
Does anyone know what the latest dates usually are for these creatures to make it to Mexico/Florida/California? I have been to Morelia, Mexico twice in the last few years (Feb) and there I know they don't begin to move until it is sunny and near 70F. 
 
Finally, my friend at Trenton, FL (near Gainesville) is going to the Tallahassee area because she learned there are many Monarchs there. Does anyone know if they actually overwinter in that area? 
 
Thanks, 
Gloria 
 
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