Plant It and They Will Come #8 Migration 2015

Gita, I think you're right!

Coleup, I'll look for him/her tomorrow, although the weather's supposed to be pretty good tomorrow so it should be able to warm up enough to fly!

Another one just eclosed this evening - I'll give it a vase of flowers to rest on overnight and put it out tomorrow with the others.

I like to read through the comments and questions of others around the country who raise Monarchs for the migration, Check out the end of the 'comments' here for other responses to late eclosing Monarch release advice. We and they are not alone!

https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/releasing-butterflies-safely-monarch-migration/

I read that last night, coleup...it was very reassuring!

I released 4 Monarchs today and all but one flew away. The one that was high up in the Witch Hazel is gone, too. I'm down to 3 chrysalises!

I'm down to 2 chrysalises, and they look like they're going to open any minute! I released 4 Monarchs yesterday and one today. The one that spent a night at the top of the Witch Hazel was gone the next morning.

I got to see one eclose; it was so neat to watch.

that is so cool that you got to see one eclose! I've witnessed this partially a few times--the butterfly just crawling out, eg--but have never seen the entire thing.

yay on those Monarchs flying off successfully!

One of my 4 remaining BST cats transformed today, and another looks like he's getting ready.That leaves a big fat Instar 4 one, and the little one that hasn't grown for several days. :-( Reminds me of the Monarch cat you had, Muddy! :-( I wonder what causes it?

So do I; I suppose it's often caused by a disease or parasitic infection.

You reminded me to check on my last BST cat, which hasn't grown in weeks but is still alive. I just took it out of the habitat and put it in the middle of fresh growth in a pot of parsley. That way, at least I'll know it's not eating because the parsley is too old, and it won't infect the others.

Muddy--
That is like the one Caterpillar I had on my parsley. It sat there--nor moving
for days. Color looked OK--but no signs of feeding or moving.

Then one day it was on top of the soil--dead. Things happen..... G.

Monarch Watch/Journey North report that this week thousands of Monarchs have crossed over into northern Mexico for the final 500 mile leg of their journey. Cape May NJ still has migrators coming through and reports seem to indicate that numbers are up from last year. Yippee!

Hope many of those that graced our lives and gardens are helping to swell the numbers a little!

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/fall2015/monarch-butterfly-migration102215.html

very cool, Coleup--thanks for the link! I like to think the ones I released last month are among those arriving now!

Thanks, Coleup!

ditto, thanks, the maps are wonder-ful

Have been thinking about the Monarchs and a certain hurricane named Patricia and wondering how much she will affect them.

I was wondering the same thing. The storm will cross their route, so it'll be hard going for at least some of them. https://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/monarch/maps/MigrationPathwayMexico.jpg

:-(
hopefully since she downgraded so quickly to a tropical storm, it will just be like a heavy rainfall for them, since aren't they supposed to be on the other side of a mountain range?

Yes, they mostly stay on the eastern side of the Sierra Madre Oriental. The Journey North site will have an update on 29 October....fingers crossed!

Here's the report we've been waiting for as the Monarchs are 50 - 80 miles from winter home and hurricane Patricia did little damage!

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/fall2015/monarch-butterfly-migration102915.html

Yay! thanks for the link, Coleup--that's terrific news! so glad to hear the numbers seem to be up
would just love to be in that part of Mexico around Halloween!

Hooray! That would be a sight to behold

Jan, did you know that the villagers along the route in Mexico and the overwintering sites celebrate the return and believe that the Monarchs signal the return of their departed ancestors for an annual visit? Way cool. From Journey North:

"The Monarchs' Arrival and Mexican Traditions

Witnessing the Arrival
Every fall for hundreds of years, people in our region have witnessed the sudden appearance of monarch butterflies. The monarchs' wondrous arrival carries special meaning, and is tied to our traditions and culture.

Harvester Butterfly
The monarchs arrive around the first of November, just as the rainy season ends and it's time to harvest our corn. The native people of our region named the monarch the harvester butterfly.

Ancestors Return
The monarchs arrive at the time of our traditional festivity, the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Since pre-Hispanic times, we have believed that our dead relatives come back to visit on the night of November 1 and 2. For us, the arrival of the monarchs symbolizes our ancestors' souls returning to Earth for their annual visit.

Remembering Loved Ones
Families set up an ofrenda (shrine) to honor the memory of our deceased ancestors. Lupita invited Laura Emilia and Zamara to see her family's ofrenda.

Favorite Foods
As is our tradition, Lupita's family prepared all the dishes and drinks their grandpa used to enjoy. The colorful ofrenda is decorated with flowers, treats and mementos.

Visiting the Cemetery
Families gather at the cemetery. Some play live music there, if the beloved relative asked for such celebration. In some parts of Mexico, people stay all night to spend special time with their ancestors.

Traditional Flowers
The bright orange cempasúchil (marigold) is the traditional flower of Dia de los Muertos. People say the color and fragrance guide the spirits home.

Traditional Sweets
We enjoy calaveras de azúcar (candy skulls) and other sweet treats that are traditional at this time of year.

Ancient Traditions
The monarchs arrive each fall as we honor our ancestors, harvest our crops, and mark the passing of another year. Following an ancient tradition of their own, the monarchs fly to this region of Mexico the way their ancestors did the year before."

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/sl/44/index.html

I did know that, coleup. Good info.

I love the color orange

Good news is always welcome, and especially right now; thanks!

Came home today to find that two of my BSTs had eclosed! They've been on the front porch in the habitat, but it's been so mild, they came out! One was a male, the other a female--very pretty pair. I hope none of the others come out. :-/ I hope there is enough around for them to nectar and lay eggs on!

I have one BST caterpillar left who looks to be stage 4 now--it is the tiny one that seemed to not be growing. I moved him from the black habitat to a container with more light, and that seemed to perk him up. I think the darkness of the habitat was causing him to go into diapause. I will move him back to the black habitat when he's closer to pupating, then I'll set this habitat on the front porch next to the other one.

This message was edited Oct 30, 2015 4:29 PM

Guess what???

I went out to my parsley bed to gather a few twigs--and there was ONE
2nd instar (I think) cat munching away.
He/she will never starve--as this clump is pretty big.

So late! What will happen to it? Gita

Just wanted to pass on some overwintering BST advice I ran across yesterday.

Any BST chrysalidesthat form after Sept 30 should be placed in the refridgerator after 2 weeks of forming to prevent emergence during a 'warm spell' pre consistently cold winter temps.

Muddy and Catmint hope you see this.

I checked this morning--I don't see the cat any more....but then--this is a huge
clump of Parsley. It may have moved or some bird got it. G.

thanks, Coleup!

Coleup, I just stuck the sticks with 5 BST chysalises into my fridge. Should they be placed in a sealed container?

Gosh Muddy, I really don't know, except that they can't dry out or get too wet! Have been scrambling for some good info. Found one site called Raising Butterflies .com that gives raising techniques for an incredible number of butterflies, including BST,
http://www.raisingbutterflies.org/overwintering-techniques/

And I called this site of a lep farmer who sends out eggs, etc and talked to Theresa who was very helpful. She said to put them in a tupperware container with some holes in the lid. Lay them on a paper towel and put a double layer of paper towl over them and stick them in the crisper drawer. Once daytime temps are consistently in 40 -50 yange they can go back outside.
J.J. Cardinal’s Wild Bird & Nature Store® 12830 S. Saginaw, Grand Blanc, MI ~ www.jjcardinal.com ~ (810) 695-8733

Thanks Theresa!

Saw a lone Monarch flying high over head today. Headed south and west.

And here is some news we all have been waiting for

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/fall2015/monarch-butterfly-migration110315.html

Such a happy event for them

Thanks for the overwintering info, coleup! I've got my 5 BST chrysalises safely stored in my fridge until cold weather is here to stay.

Thanks for the link on the Monarchs, too.

thanks for sharing the link Coleup! Must be such a sight to see!!

I've seen about 5 Monarch butterflies down here in South Carolina. I like to think that the ones I released in October might have made it this far en route to Mexico. There are still plants in bloom for them to nectar one.

Yes, it was nice to see that there are still shrubs and flowers blooming and providing nectar for them. I saw some flying low along the highway too. Hopefully they'll be able to eat their way to Mexico!

Going along the Gulf, it seems likely or doable.
I saw a small yellow (Sulfur?) butterfly on Monday morning.

Our son's family was in Gulf Shores, AL last weekend for a wedding and he said they saw monarchs.

Just got this via Journey North
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/spring2016/08/monarch-butterfly-migration031116.html

"A winter storm of historic proportions has struck the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico. There is no word yet about how the monarchs were affected. However, the sequence of events is of particular concern. The storm began with rain and was followed by hail, snow, and sub-freezing temperatures. The butterflies are more susceptible to mortality from freezing when wet. Photos from El Rosario Sanctuary show trees within the sanctuary core zone toppled by the strong winds. Spring migration from Mexico was imminent but mass departure had not yet occurred meaning the full population was in the storm's path. More information will be posted here as it becomes available."