Area resident delighted by Monarch migration

New Richland area resident Cindy Coy was both delighted and surprised when, as she drove her lawnmower under some trees on her property, a small explosion of Monarch butterflies surrounded her momentarily before scattering among the nearby branches.

 

“It was beautiful,” she recalls. “It made me feel lifted up.”

 

A U.S. Forest Service document titled “Monarch Butterflies Frequently Asked Questions” provides information from University of Minnesota Monarch expert Dr. Karen Oberhauser. The document shares that Minnesota Monarch butterflies which emerge from the chrysalis in August and later essentially begin migrating as soon as their wings are dry. Thus, the migration begins in early to mid August and often continues into early October, reaching peak numbers fairly early in September. 

 

The butterflies migrate as individuals, but somehow tend to find each other and form groups, known as “roosts” as evening approaches. Oberhauser and others admit it is not known why Monarchs cluster together as they do: speculation is that they are seeking safety in numbers, or are simply attracted to similar areas. Many thousands of Monarchs are migrating southward at the same time, so roosts appear all over the state in many different sizes. As the sun rises and the air warms, Monarchs continue southward individually.

 

The USDA document states that, if roosts are occurring in the same spot on sequential nights, the butterflies taking part are almost certainly not the same ones who had been there the night before.

 

Monarchs overwinter in Mexico in a state of “semi-hibernation.” They do need water, often from dew, but do not need to eat. 

 

When temperatures begin warming in February, they head north, stopping in Texas where they mate and lay eggs, then die, having lived between six and nine months. When Monarchs arrive in Minnesota around May 10, they are the offspring produced in Texas–the year’s first new generation. Those arriving later may even be second generation, produced somewhere between Texas and Minnesota. The butterflies which arrive here proceed to mate and lay eggs, dying soon afterward. As many as four generations may be produced within the state. The first three live as adults for only 2 or 3 weeks, long enough to reach sexual maturity and reproduce.

 

As the number of nectar-producing flowers begins to decrease, Monarchs produce a final summer generation. This one is programmed to delay sexual maturity and use the energy that would have contributed to reproduction to fuel its flight southward.

 

The cycle is complete for another year.

 

While the facts are interesting and valuable, Coy says the best part for her is the good luck that her lawn, surrounded on the west, north and east by a windbreak that got its start in the 1800s, seems to be a gathering place for this year’s migration. For the past week or so, she says it has brought her great pleasure to sit on her deck as evening approaches: Her line of sight is peppered with Monarchs drifting past silently several feet above her head. At times, five or six will be gliding in the same area, circling and twisting past each other like a giant mobile without strings.

 

The “roosts” are difficult to spot against the dark-colored leaves of the maples, ash and elm trees, some of which are more than 100 feet tall, but every now and then she sees a small group together on the branches.

 

“Living in the country is great,” she says of the spectacle. “You get to feel like you’re part of nature, and nature is beautiful.”