Okay question for you guys. I know it is a little soon but come end of September and October the Monarchs come through here like crazy going south. It is a beautiful time of year. I just love sitting out and trying to count how many come through. It is impossible. Anyways, my question is when they come through here while migrating to Mexico and such do they lay eggs or do they just need nectar plants for food on their long trip. Hopefully by then some of my plants will be bigger and in better shape for that. I was just worried whether they are going to lay eggs or not and then those cats would have to winter over or something. Sorry if this has been covered to death. Any info is appreciated.
Leslie
Monarch migration??
I was asking myself the same question recently. And I found this essay by Dr. Karen S. Oberhauser that gives a very nice explanation. She is a researcher who has done so much for monarch conservation and contributes frequently to Monarch Watch and Journey North and other sites.
http://www.ecology.info/monarch-butterfly-page-3.htm
Aparently the monarchs returning south have a different physiological make-up and don't lay eggs on their way back to Mexico. They do build up fat reserves, though, and need lots of nectar plants for that....
I try to plant (Ohio style) late season bloomers especially for them--liatris 'september glory',, tithonia, cosmos, milkweed, sedum, and some helenium among others.
This message was edited Jul 23, 2007 7:51 AM
That's a very inspiring link to remind one's self to take care of this earth through conservation and preserve it's wildlife. Thank you, Judy.
Leslie, how nice to see so many at one time! I'd love to see such a sight!
Okay...I just have to add this. It's true that most Monarchs that migrate back into Texas are "programmed" to not mate, so they can have the strength to make it to Mexico...and if they survive they will migrate again the next spring, mate and reproduce then. BUT there's a few Monarchs that aren't programmed like that now and will mate (either before they get here or after) and those females will lay eggs. During the late summer or fall migration is pretty much the time that I get Monarch cats here. I assume that those butterflies who reproduce like that will probably not go to Mexico...but those cats they produce might go assuming they survive and become butterflies. It makes sense. The more the Monarch population increases, the more will make it through the winter either in Mexico or in sheltered areas along the coast. So if you have enough milkweed, it could happen! The more milkweed a place has, the more likely a female Monarch will visit and lay eggs. Believe me, it takes a lot of foliage to raise those cats!
thanks so much for the information. Interesting article about their migration. It really just baffles me that they fly all that way and then fly back. Oh and it is a beautiful site when they come through. I have seen pictures of peoples backyards that look a lot like the trees in Mexico when they reach there. It is amazing. I have never had that happen to me but I mean they do come through here like crazy. So I guess it will just depend, they may or may not lay eggs. Well I will try to be ready in case they do.
Thanks again for all of the great information.
Leslie
I am not sure where Abilene is, but it's pretty exciting that you get loads of migrating monarchs coming through your area. I wonder what it is that is so attractive for them there. The researchers don't seem to know a whole lot about why the monarchs choose certain stopping places, but I'm sure before too long they will have some answers.
And yes, I misspoke when I made the observation that monarchs were physiologically programmed not to reproduce on their return south. Some monarchs who are in your area already and a few others flying in from the north do reproduce when they get down your way, so if you have milkweeds in the garden I am sure they would benefit.
I will be interested to hear about your experience with the Monarchs when they get down to Abilene.
I will certainly let everyone know what happens. I might even attempt a few pics (I am really a novice at that). I would love to share the experience as it is one of my favorite events of the whole year. I do have three milkweed plants and one coming in the mail so hopefully I will have enough and they will have grown a bit by then. I just might get my chance to "mommy" come October.
Leslie