The Monarchs Rule!

The Monarchs are here, there, everywhere, and I see two of them. They are dancing and flirting in the air. They love the Jatropha for nectar, and the female is using the Milkweed to lay eggs. I see eggs on the leaves, and I see some holes on the leaves. Soon caterpillars. Going to have to get more milkweed. My neighbor is reporting her dozen chrysalises are emerging today. Yeah! They're trying their hardest to make a big come back this year. Go Monarchs! We're rooting for you! I am reporting my sightings at lerner.org.

Good article on planting Milkweed
http://blogs.discovery.com/bites-animal-planet/2014/08/plant-milkweed-for-monarchs.html

And today... Hot of the Press!
"...a legal petition today to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking Endangered Species Act protection for monarch butterflies, which have declined by more than 90 percent in under 20 years."

source:
http://www.xerces.org/after-90-percent-decline-federal-protection-sought-for-monarch-butterfly-2/

Monarch everyday now!

We are seeing Monarchs everyday now (past three days) in our backyard, laying eggs and two today flirting. So far no chrysalises seen. Sharing my fb album of Monarchs taken over the past two weeks in our yard.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10203837741291168.1073741878.1449262015&type=1&l=cc343b4d31
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A little more information on Monarchs-

A very serious Monarch decline the past 10 years is thought to be due to human impacts (and climate changes) such as loss of habitat with illegal deforestation in Mexico, loss of milkweed, and US pesticide laced milkweed.

At our geographic location (latitude 28) the likely 5th and longest living generation will put Monarch reproduction on pause as they migrate in October to Mexico where they spend the winter. The same Monarchs return, migrating in the spring to the North to start the cycle all over. The other generations have since died off as their only purpose is reproduction.

Milkweed is the only plant monarchs lay eggs on and is the primary food source for the caterpillar. Scientists and Conservationists encourage us to grow milkweed in our yards (do not spray with pesticide as it causes deformities  and death). This year elements are in place for a recovery because humans took notice and did something about it.

peak migration dates:
http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/peak.html
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annual cycle wheel:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/monarch/annual_cycle_wheel.gif
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report your monarch sightings (cornell recommended):
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/fall2014/update082114.html
-> navigate to Sightings

Click to enlarge -