DOCSLIB.ORG

January 2016 the Plight of the Monarch Conservation Legacy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
January 2016 the Plight of the Monarch Conservation Legacy CONSERVATION LEGACY MAKING A DIFFERENCE The Plight of the Monarch Article and Photos by CLINTON FAAS (Writer's note: TWA’s Conservation Initiatives promote landscape-level conservation of habitat and species as well as address current issues affecting landowners in Texas. Through monitoring and working with state, federal and non-governmental organizations, TWA aims to provide relevant and up-to-date information for its members regarding these topics. The Monarch Butterfly represents one such topic that allows land managers to come together with many focus groups to reach a common conservation goal in the management of a declining species.) t’s an iconic species — one that doesn’t require a background in entomology to identify. The orange andI black wing pattern is easily recognizable to anyone that has ever watched a butterfly flutter past. Although there are imitators, the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is one of the most well known butterflies in the United States. It brings back a sense of nostalgia for many of us: thoughts of insect collections as a kid and mason jars with holes poked in the metal lids, the coming of fall and the arrival of spring and, even if unknowingly, a connection to wildlife in a busy, urbanized world. But where have they gone? And, some may ask, “Why does it even matter?” As recently as the 1990s, an estimated one billion monarchs made the migration south, through Texas and into Mexico. A 2013 count revealed that the long-term average number may have declined up to 90 percent in the last 20 years, leaving the total United States population at around The iconic Monarch butterfly is easily recognizable with its black and orange wing pattern. 33 million. Several factors have been attributed to this decline. In the northern complete metamorphosis consisting of four complexity of this life cycle comes in the United States, a significant decrease in stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult. lifespan and timing of events. Migrating milkweed abundance, due to modern This process takes approximately 30 days to monarchs live all winter, approximately six agricultural practices, may be a limiting complete. to nine months. The last adult generation factor. While in Mexico illegal logging in One extremely important thing to note to hatch in early autumn migrates down, the overwintering grounds continues to is the exclusive use of milkweed (Asclepias through Texas to central Mexico where cause concerns. In Texas, several factors spp.) for egg laying and larvae (caterpillar) they overwinter as reproductively inactive may be at work including a decrease in fall food. The caterpillars take in and store adults. In the spring, this generation begins nectaring plants, increased pesticide use specific organic compounds found in these its migration north. and a decrease in milkweed abundance. To milkweeds that makes them toxic to, and Upon encountering milkweed, they will understand how these affect the monarch, subsequently avoided by, predators. mate and lay eggs. This next generation of we must understand their complex life After the adult butterfly emerges from monarchs will then complete its life cycle history. the chrysalis, they are soon able to fly and continue the migration. The repetition In one life cycle, the monarch undergoes and seek out nectar plants to feed. The of this cycle is responsible for populating the 22 TEXAS WILDLIFE JANUARY 2016 THE PLIGHT OF THE MONARCH CONSERVATION LEGACY doing this, we may learn that we can help a number of other species as well. Th is brings us to another consideration, the idea that there may be something bigger at stake. Th roughout the year, the monarch selects for the various habitat types that contain milkweed and the other fl owering plants. Th ese habitats, and many of the same plants, provide important resources for other species as well — namely, grassland dependent birds. Whether its seeds from the plants themselves, or other insects that are attracted to the plants, many grassland bird species directly overlap with the Milkweed is an essential part of the habitat selection of the monarch. Long term Twitter monarch life cycle, making up the entire averages show birds like the loggerhead @texaswildlife diet of the caterpillars. shrike, dickcissel, scissor-tailed fl ycatcher and grasshopper sparrow, to name a few, majority of the United States. Th e summer have seen similar population declines. generation’s life span is approximately two While these species may not register on to six weeks. everyone’s radar, another iconic animal, the Th e habitat needs of the monarch vary bobwhite quail, certainly does. In a very greatly depending on the timing of the similar way, albeit happening over a longer migration because of the complex life period of time, the bobwhite quail has seen style. One of the most important aspects drastic decreases in its overall abundance of habitat is the milkweed component. and range. Although the list of grassland In Texas, we have 37 diff erent species of bird species brings with it an equally long milkweed. Because of our location on the list of hypothesis about what may have migration route north, the diversity and caused the decline, common ground can Facebook® distribution of these plants are extremely be found in the habitat used by all. Th ere is search Texas Wildlife important. Although much eff ort is a caveat to all this, though. Since no single Association underway to plant milkweed in urban areas cause can be attributed to all the declines, and gardens, many of these species can also no one management strategy will suddenly be found on native rangelands. Th e second cause an upturn in the populations. What most important component is nectar we can do on our end is to promote the plants. Th ese fl owering plants provide a components of the habitat that is used in food source for the adults to accomplish common. the long migrations. While fl owers may be Prescribed fi re, duration and timing of plentiful during the spring due to rainfall, grazing, mechanical manipulation and one must also consider the availability planting are all tools in the proverbial of nectaring plants for the fall migration toolbox that can help reach the desired south. Since the vast majority of monarchs goal. Landowners/managers do not have Online texas-wildlife.org in the United States migrate through Texas, to approach this problem alone. Farm Bill we are one of their last stops to replenish programs such as EQIP, CRP and CSP are their reserves for the winter. available to provide fi nancial assistance to So why does all this matter? Th ere are those interested in the management of these several considerations here. First and species. Other groups such as the Oaks and foremost is the drastic decline of a species Prairies Joint Venture provide funding to in a relatively short period of time, a species qualifying land management practices on a that we all know and have some connection more regional basis. To fi nd out how you with, a species that has the possibility of not can get involved in management for both being around unless something is done. We monarchs and grassland birds, contact as people must do what we can to reverse your local USDA Natural Resources any negative impacts we are having on Conservation Service or Texas Parks and YouTube youtube.com/user/texaswildlifeassoc what was once a very abundant species. In Wildlife Department. WWW.TEXAS-WILDLIFE.ORG 23 CORRECTION Queen Butterfly (Photo by Clint Faas) Monarch Butterfly (Photo by Larry Jay) Th e butterfl y pictured in Plight of the Monarch in your January issue of Texas Wildlife magazine was incorrectly identifi ed as a Monarch. Th at butterfl y (above left ) is actually a Queen Butterfl y. Th e Monarch Butterfl y can be distinguished by a lack of internal white spots on the underside of the back wing and thicker black lines on upper wing as seen above in the photo on the right. TWA magazine staff regrets the error. WWW.TEXAS-WILDLIFE.ORG 31.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Monarch Butterfly, Danaus Plexippus Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae)1 Andrei Sourakov2
    EENY-442 Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae)1 Andrei Sourakov2 Introduction The monarchs, Danaus plexippus Linnaeus, are among the best known of the world’s butterflies due to their remark- able ability to migrate, wide distribution, and charismatic appearance. The last Pleistocene glaciations in North America instigated migration to Mexico in the east and to the Californian coast and deserts in the west. In the western U.S., the overwintering colonies are smaller and more numerous, while in Mexico, they are few but more spectacular, with billions of butterflies concentrating in one spot. Distribution Danaus plexippus is found throughout the Americas and Australia, with individuals reported in New Guinea and Western Europe. Sedentary populations that are found in Mexico, and Central and South America (including the Caribbean islands) are somewhat different from migratory Figure 1. Adult monarchs, Danaus plexippus Linnaeus, from Gainesville, populations of D. p. plexippus found in North America. Florida. Several subspecies, such as M. p. megalippe (Mexico, Credits: Andrei Sourakov, Florida Museum of Natural History southern U.S.) and M. p. menippe (South America) have Description been described. Monarchs fly from sea level up to 2,500 meters. Orange-and-black warning coloration of monarchs is noticeable, and its memorable pattern is directed at Some of the D. p. plexippus reach Cuba instead of Mexico, repelling insectivorous birds. Experiments conducted with where they mix with the resident population of D. p. captive blue jays showed that monarchs indeed are toxic megalippe, from which they noticeably differ in behavior (Brower et al. 1968). Being distasteful due to ingestion by and wing length and shape (Dockx 2007).
    [Show full text]
  • Prudic 2019.Pdf (956.7Kb)
    ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-019-0303-z OPEN Mimicry in viceroy butterflies is dependent on abundance of the model queen butterfly Kathleen L. Prudic1,2, Barbara N. Timmermann3, Daniel R. Papaj4, David B. Ritland5 & Jeffrey C. Oliver6 1234567890():,; Mimics should not exist without their models, yet often they do. In the system involving queen and viceroy butterflies, the viceroy is both mimic and co-model depending on the local abundance of the model, the queen. Here, we integrate population surveys, chemical ana- lyses, and predator behavior assays to demonstrate how mimics may persist in locations with low-model abundance. As the queen becomes less locally abundant, the viceroy becomes more chemically defended and unpalatable to predators. However, the observed changes in viceroy chemical defense and palatability are not attributable to differing host plant chemical defense profiles. Our results suggest that mimetic viceroy populations are maintained at localities of low-model abundance through an increase in their toxicity. Sharing the burden of predator education in some places but not others may also lower the fitness cost of warning signals thereby supporting the origin and maintenance of aposematism. 1 School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. 2 Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. 3 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA. 4 Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. 5 Department of Biology, Erskine College, Due West, SC 29639, USA. 6 Office of Digital Innovation & Stewardship, University Libraries, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
    [Show full text]
  • Propagating Native Milkweeds for Restoring Monarch Butterfly Habitat©
    Propagating Native Milkweeds for Restoring Monarch Butterfly Habitat© Thomas D. Landis and R. Kasten Dumroese 3248 Sycamore Way, Medford, Oregon 97504-9005, USA Email: [email protected] The number of monarch butterflies, charismatic nomads of North America, is rapidly declining. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), which are the sole food source for monarch caterpillars, have also experienced a decline throughout the breeding range of this butterfly. Milkweeds can be grown from seeds or vegetatively from root cuttings or rhizomes. Seed germination is often improved with stratification and plants are easily grown with standard propagation methods. However, some species require adjustments to the substrate to reflect unique soil conditions of their natural habitat. We encourage you to grow and outplant milkweeds to create habitat for monarch butterflies and help restore their populations. THE POPULATION CRASH OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES The causes behind the decline in pollinators are many, but most can be related either directly or indirectly to human activity. Habitat loss is always near the top of the list ― habitat destruction or fragmentation into small, disperse patches threatens all types of insect pollinators (Mader et al., 2011). Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are, however, an interesting example of pollinator decline because, unlike many other organisms that rely on one specialized habitat, adult monarchs are generalists that thrived all across North America ― that is, until recently. With its large size and striking orange and black coloration, the monarch butterfly has been considered the most well-known butterfly in the world (Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 2008). The monarch is a tropical butterfly that readily recolonizes much of temperate North America through annual migrations.
    [Show full text]
  • Service Projects for the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail the U.S
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Service Projects for the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Florida Piedmont Partners for Monarchs are Service is partnering St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge has distributing milkweed to various partners built a greenhouse with college volunteers to be planted in existing fields, power and is propagating local milkweed for lines, and edges. with the Rosalynn Carter planting in schoolyard habitats. They also plan to create 10-15 new schoolyard The Asheville Ecological Services Office Butterfly Trail to restore habitats to create a coastal monarch trail. is collaborating with Monarch Watch to create monarch habitat on 20 school, important habitat for the Georgia business, and public community sites The Georgia Ecological Services Office with educational signage. They will monarch butterfly. Together is working with the Environmental also be propagating milkweed plants Education Alliance and National Wildlife for the sites and training teachers and Federation to conduct monarch habitat volunteers for student projects including they will add 100 sites along restoration on 13 public sites and 10 Eco monarch tagging. Toe River Watershed Schools. They also are partnering with Partnership is also an important the monarch’s migration Monarchs Across Georgia to conduct a contributor in these efforts. monarch workshop for teachers in Plains, routes in the Southeast. Georgia, the home of the Rosalynn Carter Tennessee Butterfly Trail. The Tennessee Ecological Services Office has developed cooperative agreements The Georgia Ecological Services with Cumberland and Morgan County Office is working with the Atlanta Soil Conservation Districts and with Botanical Garden to create a monarch Clinch Powell Resources Conservation demonstration site at Panola Mountain and Development Council to propagate State Park and expand monarch habitat milkweed and plant pollinator gardens to at Blue Heron Nature Preserve.
    [Show full text]
  • Sc-Monarch-Butterfly.Pdf
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service February 2019 Conserving South Carolina’s At-Risk Species: www.fws.gov/charleston www.fws.gov/southeast/endangered-species-act/at-risk-species Species facing threats to their survival Monarch butterfly habitats are high altitude Mexican conifer engaging citizen scientists in monitoring (Danaus plexippus) forests, coastal California conifers, or Eu- Monarchs during their migratory, breed- calyptus groves. In South Carolina during ing, and overwintering seasons. Addition- the fall, winter, and early spring, Mon- ally, more research needs to be conducted archs can be found basking or roosting on to better document the distribution of evergreen trees and shrubs such as: wintering Monarchs along the South Car- Southern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana olina coast. Monarchs that winter along var. silicicola), Wax myrtle (Morella ce- the Atlantic coast, the extent of which is rifera), Red bay (Persea borbonia), and Ley- not yet determined, may provide a re- land cypress (Cupressus x leylandii). serve of wintering Monarchs that could become extremely valuable to the long- Status term survival of the eastern migratory Monarch butterfly/Photo credit: Jennifer The Monarch population has recently de- population of North American Monarchs. Koches clined to a fraction of its previous size. In the 1990s, estimates of up to one billion References Description Monarchs overwintered in the oyamel fir Jepsen, S., D. F. Schweitzer, B. Young, The Monarch butterfly is a large orange forests northwest of Mexico City, and N. Sears, M. Ormes, and S. H. Black. butterfly that is similar in appearance to more than one million Monarchs overwin- 2015. Conservation Status and Ecology of the smaller Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), tered in forested groves on the California Monarchs in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Life Cycle and Biology of Danaus Chrysippus (L.) (Plain Tiger) on Asclepias Curassavica (L.) at Andhra University Campus, Visakhapatnam
    IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS) e-ISSN:2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 11, Issue 3 Ver. III (May - Jun.2016), PP 91-98 www.iosrjournals.org Life Cycle and Biology of Danaus Chrysippus (L.) (Plain Tiger) on Asclepias Curassavica (L.) at Andhra University Campus, Visakhapatnam. K. Ella Rao1, *G. Sujan Chandar2, J.B.Atluri3 1,2,3(Department of Botany, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam- 530003, Andhra Pradesh) *corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: The Danaidae butterfly Danaus Chrysippus (Plain Tiger) it occurs throughout the year. The larval performance and life cycle of Danaus Chrysippus was studied at Andhra University campus using the leaves of Asclepias Curassavica as the larval host both in laboratory and in the natural conditions. The behavior and morphological characters of eggs, caterpillars, pupae and adult emergence were observed in the laboratory at 28o-30oc. The life cycle was completed in 17-18 days, with egg hatching 3 larvae 7-8, and pupae 7-8 days. The values of consumption index (CI), growth rate (GR), and approximate digestibility (AD) across the instars decreased as the larvae aged. The average values of the CI and GR are 0.97, 0.22 respectively, and that of AD is 74.43. But the values of both efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) either increased or decreased from instar to instar. Keywords: Oviposition, Danaidae, Danaus Chrysippus, Instars, Food utilization indices. I. Introduction The phytophagous insects like butterflies are closely related with the plants and provide economic and ecological benefits to the human society.
    [Show full text]
  • Head Antenna E Wings Legs Thorax Eyes Abdomen Proboscis
    Virtual Monarch and Meadow Month Lesson: Monarch Butterfly and Caterpillar Anatomy In this lesson, participants will learn basic monarch butterfly and caterpillar anatomy and can practice labeling butterfly graphics. Monarch Butterfly Anatomy Butterflies are insects in the order Lepidoptera, which means “scaly wing”; this refers to the thousands of overlapping scales that not only give the butterflies their iconic colors, but also aid in flight. When you hear the word insect, you should automatically think 6 legs and 3 body parts; this rule helps you separate insects from similar animals like spiders, which have 8 legs and 2 body parts. When we talk about body parts we mean that they have a head (with eyes, antennae, and their mouthparts), then a thorax (where all of their legs and wings attach), and finally an abdomen (usually the largest segment, where most of their organs are). A butterfly’s mouth is called a proboscis, which is a tube-like structure that is normally curled up against the front of the butterfly’s face, but is extended into flowers’ nectar well to suck up nutrients. Monarchs are especially famous for their migration habits, so we can’t forget to mention their 4 brightly colored wings! Can you label these images with the monarch butterfly’s body parts? Here’s a word bank! Head Wings Thorax Abdomen Antenna Legs Eyes Proboscis e Scroll to Page 2 for the answers! 1 Monarch Caterpillar Anatomy The monarch butterfly caterpillar is fantastical even before it becomes a chrysalis and transforms its long, Discussion + Home Exploration: For more squishy body into the graceful winged adult that we info about insects, check out this video! love to watch flitting from flower to flower.
    [Show full text]
  • Arthropods Notes
    Open note quiz 28.1 • 1. What material makes up the exoskeleton of the arthropod? • 2. What does the term “arthropod” refer to? • 3. What has the evolu@on of arthropods led to in terms of segmentaon? • 4. list one type of respiratory structure in arthropods • 5. what type of circulatory system does an arthropod have? • 6. What body system controls mol@ng? • 7. List something from the notes that clearly shows me you took the notes. 1. Comparison of arthropod groups • 2. Class Crustacea: crabs, lobsters, barnacles – 3 two/three body sec@ons (head, thorax, abdomen) – 3. chewing mouthparts • 2. Class Arachnida: spiders, @cks, mites, scorpions – 3. Four pair of legs on thorax – 3. Two body regions: Cephalothorax & abdomen hUp://video.naonalgeographic.com/video/animals/bugs-animals/spiders-and- scorpions/spider_orb_kills_bat/ Gall mites cause the red bumps on sycamore tree Eyelash mites Scorpions under black light Crayfish test tomorrow • Match the structures with the pictures from the website. • Match the terms with their func@ons. • TAKE YOUR 2 STUDY GUIDES HOME! • 2. Class Merostomata- horseshoe crabs Horseshoe crabs value to medicine http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/27841-assignment-crab-horseshoe-crabs-blue-blood-video.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8KlAmtIu1E Phylum arthropoda con@nued • 2. Class Insecta 3. Traits 4. 3 body regions (head, thorax, abdomen) 4. 3 pair of legs (on thorax) 2. Life cycles of insects- metamorphosis 3. complete metamorphosis * egg-larva- pupa - adult 3. Incomplete metamorphosis * egg- nymph- adult http://animal.discovery.com/videos/ monsters-inside-me-bedbug- bites.html 2. Insects that cause destruc@on * termites •Boll weevils •Japanese beetles 2.
    [Show full text]
  • (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies Are Palatable to Avian Predators
    insects Article Evaluating an Alleged Mimic of the Monarch Butterfly: Neophasia (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies are Palatable to Avian Predators Dale A. Halbritter 1,2,* , Johnalyn M. Gordon 3, Kandy L. Keacher 4, Michael L. Avery 4,5 and Jaret C. Daniels 2,6 1 USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA 2 Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Dr, Steinmetz Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; jdaniels@flmnh.ufl.edu 3 Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 3205 College Ave, Davie, FL 33314, USA; johnalynmgordon@ufl.edu 4 Florida Field Station, USDA-APHIS National Wildlife Research Center, 2820 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641, USA; [email protected] (K.L.K.); [email protected] (M.L.A.) 5 2906 NW 14th Pl., Gainesville, FL 32605, USA 6 McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA * Correspondence: dhalb001@ufl.edu or [email protected]; Tel.: +1-661-406-8932 Received: 28 September 2018; Accepted: 22 October 2018; Published: 29 October 2018 Abstract: Some taxa have adopted the strategy of mimicry to protect themselves from predation. Butterflies are some of the best representatives used to study mimicry, with the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) a well-known model. We are the first to empirically investigate a proposed mimic of the monarch butterfly: Neophasia terlooii, the Mexican pine white butterfly (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). We used captive birds to assess the palatability of N. terlooii and its sister species, N.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to Arthropods Bandelier National Monument
    A Guide to Arthropods Bandelier National Monument Top left: Melanoplus akinus Top right: Vanessa cardui Bottom left: Elodes sp. Bottom right: Wolf Spider (Family Lycosidae) by David Lightfoot Compiled by Theresa Murphy Nov 2012 In collaboration with Collin Haffey, Craig Allen, David Lightfoot, Sandra Brantley and Kay Beeley WHAT ARE ARTHROPODS? And why are they important? What’s the difference between Arthropods and Insects? Most of this guide is comprised of insects. These are animals that have three body segments- head, thorax, and abdomen, three pairs of legs, and usually have wings, although there are several wingless forms of insects. Insects are of the Class Insecta and they make up the largest class of the phylum called Arthropoda (arthropods). However, the phylum Arthopoda includes other groups as well including Crustacea (crabs, lobsters, shrimps, barnacles, etc.), Myriapoda (millipedes, centipedes, etc.) and Arachnida (scorpions, king crabs, spiders, mites, ticks, etc.). Arthropods including insects and all other animals in this phylum are characterized as animals with a tough outer exoskeleton or body-shell and flexible jointed limbs that allow the animal to move. Although this guide is comprised mostly of insects, some members of the Myriapoda and Arachnida can also be found here. Remember they are all arthropods but only some of them are true ‘insects’. Entomologist - A scientist who focuses on the study of insects! What’s bugging entomologists? Although we tend to call all insects ‘bugs’ according to entomology a ‘true bug’ must be of the Order Hemiptera. So what exactly makes an insect a bug? Insects in the order Hemiptera have sucking, beak-like mouthparts, which are tucked under their “chin” when Metallic Green Bee (Agapostemon sp.) not in use.
    [Show full text]
  • Milkweed Butterflies AKA Monarchs
    Milkweed Butterflies AKA Monarchs Laurie Cameron Decline in Population The population of these once-common, iconic orange-and- black butterflies has seen a rapid decline of nearly seventy percent in the past two decades. One reason is that the heart of monarch breeding range is the agricultural areas in the midwest where milkweed plants have given way to corn and soybean fields. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, it’s estimated that monarch butterflies may have lost more than 165 million acres of habitat — an area about the size of Texas — including nearly one-third of their summer breeding grounds in the past 20 years. Monarch butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle, and through four generations in one year. Life cycle All butterflies have "complete metamorphosis." To grow into an adult they go through 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa (AKA chrysalis), and adult. Each stage has a different goal - for instance, caterpillars need to eat a lot, and adults need to reproduce. Life Cycle & Migration In February and March, the final generation of hibernating monarch butterflies comes out of hibernation to find a mate. They then migrate north and east in order to find a place to lay their eggs. This starts stage one and generation one of the new year for the monarch butterfly. Life Cycle & Migration: March and April The eggs are laid on milkweed plants. Life Cycle & Migration: March and April They hatch into baby caterpillars, also called the larvae. It takes about four days for the eggs to hatch.. Life Cycle & Migration: March and April Then the baby caterpillar doesn’t do much more than eat the milkweed in order to grow.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix A: Monarch Biology and Ecology
    Appendix A: Monarch Biology and Ecology Materials for this appendix were adapted from MonarchNet.org, MonarchJointVenture.org, MonarchLab.org, and MonarchParasites.org. Monarch Life Cycle Biology: Overview: All insects change in form as they grow; this process is called metamorphosis. Butterflies and moths undergo complete metamorphosis, in which there are four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar) pupae (chrysalis) and adult. It takes monarchs about a month to go through the stages from egg to adult, and it is hormones circulating within the body that trigger the changes that occur during metamorphosis. Once adults, monarchs will live another 3-6 weeks in the summer. Monarchs that migrate live all winter, or about 6-9 months. Monarch larvae are specialist herbivores, consuming only host plants in the milkweed family (Asclepiadacea). They utilize most of the over 100 North American species (Woodson 1954) in this family, breeding over a broad geographical and temporal range that covers much of the United States and southern Canada. Adults feed on nectar from blooming plants. Monarchs have specific habitat needs: Milkweed provides monarchs with an effective chemical defense against many predators. Monarchs sequester cardenolides (also called cardiac glycosides) present in milkweed (Brower and Moffit 1974), rendering them poisonous to most vertebrates. However, many invertebrate predators, as well as some bacteria and viruses, may be unharmed by the toxins or able to overcome them. The extent to which milkweed protects monarchs from non-vertebrate predators is not completely understood, but a recent finding that wasps are less likely to prey on monarchs consuming milkweed with high levels of cardenolides suggests that this defense is at least somewhat effective against invertebrate predators (Rayor 2004).
    [Show full text]