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THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES ARE NOW ON THE ENDANGERED SPECIES RED LIST BY THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN). THE MONARCH WAS ADDED TO THE RED LIST ON JULY 21, 2022. THEY ARE NOW LISTED WITH 147,517 OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES. THIS LIST IS FOR THE EASTERN AND WESTERN U.S. POPULATIONS AND CANADA, BUT NOT FOR MONARCHS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA OR ELSEWHERE.
Where monarchs are found in the Americas.
Monarch life cycle.
Monarch Butterfly egg on Common Milkweed leaf. So small!
Newly formed chrysalis.
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Monarch Butterfly Larva.
Monarch about to emerged from chrysalis.
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What sanctuary do monarchs prefer? Click picture to enlarge.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY POPULATION IN THE WEST
The monarch population as been counted for California for 2020. The largest wintering site at Pismo Beach had just 200, yes-200 monarchs, which is down from 6,700 in 2019! Just five years ago, it was 293,000! The whole population of monarchs at 246 sites in California has fallen to just 1,914. Last year it was 29,418. GOOD NEWS FOR 2021!
Pismo Beach is reporting that 8,000 monarchs were counted on October 20th, 2021. Also, Pacific Grove is reporting that 1,300 monarchs were counted on October 16th. 2021. Last year, none were counted. Altogether, 10,000 monarchs have been counted at over 200 preserves this October.
UPDATE: AS OF NOVEMBER 4TH, 26,000 MONARCHS HAVE BEEN COUNTED AT THE SANCTURARIES!
AS OF NOVEMBER 10TH, 35,000. AS OF NOVEMBER 17TH, 50,000. AS OF NOVEMBER 26TH, 200,000! Final count is in at 247,237 at 283 sites as of January 2022! This is a 4,900% increase from last year!
Pismo Beach is reporting that 8,000 monarchs were counted on October 20th, 2021. Also, Pacific Grove is reporting that 1,300 monarchs were counted on October 16th. 2021. Last year, none were counted. Altogether, 10,000 monarchs have been counted at over 200 preserves this October.
UPDATE: AS OF NOVEMBER 4TH, 26,000 MONARCHS HAVE BEEN COUNTED AT THE SANCTURARIES!
AS OF NOVEMBER 10TH, 35,000. AS OF NOVEMBER 17TH, 50,000. AS OF NOVEMBER 26TH, 200,000! Final count is in at 247,237 at 283 sites as of January 2022! This is a 4,900% increase from last year!
Note the 2018 to 2020 population on graph.
In the 1980's, there were around 4.5 million monarchs at the sanctuaries in California.
Some people may not know that monarch butterflies also winter in the United States. This year, in Florida, Texas, Louisianna, Geogia, South Carlonia, Alabama, North Carolina, and Mississippi, over 5,000 monarchs have been recorded to Journey North.
Although the State of Alaska isn't known for monarch butterflies, one specimen has been collected in Hyder, Alaska. This town is in the southeast corner of the state. See picture of Hyder and map with the red dot.
HYDER, ALASKA
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As of August 4th, 2022, there are now 39,570 Waystations across the United States! Michigan is 3rd with 2,901.
My new Monarch Butterfly Waystation #4357, July 15th, 2016. Eighty-four monarchs visited this garden September through October, 2017. Many Honey Bees, too!
Eight monarchs visiting my waystation in late August, 2017.
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Monarch Butterfly on Joe-pye-weed at my waystation in the middle of August, 2018.
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Monarch Butterfly on just blooming Joe-pye-weed in my waystation early August, 2019.
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ALYSSA LARA OF ALPENA, MICHIGAN, AGE 8, TAGGED (UCS 810) A MALE MONARCH REARED BY ME IN HARRISVILLE ON AUGUST 30, 2015, AND IT WAS RECOVERED IN EL ROSARIO, MEXICO ON MARCH 6, 2016. THIS BUTTERFLY FLEW 2,173 MILES! THIS IS THE FIRST TAGGED MONARCH TO BE FOUND IN MEXICO FROM HARRISVILLE, MICHIGAN. SEE PICTURE OF THE MOUNTAIN BELOW.
Main migration flyways to Mexico start about August 15th from Harrisville, Michigan.
This is where Alyssa's monarch was found!
Right photograph: A female monarch on the beach at Harrisville State Park November 03, 2011 (48F.) I have also observed one monarch on November 02, 2011 (59F.), one monarch on November 03, 2015 (62F.), two monarchs on November 04, 2015 (68F.), one male monarch on November 07, 2017 (40F.) seen at right on marigold flower, and one on November 01, 2021 (48F.). Monarchs can appear when you least expect it.
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FRANK APSEY OF HARRISVILLE, MICHIGAN, TAGGED (YGN 925) A FEMALE MONARCH NETTED ON THE BEACH AT HARRISVILLE STATE PARK ON AUGUST 18, 2018 (ON HIS WEDDING ANNIVERSARY)!
THE MONARCH WAS RECOVERED AT EL ROSARIO, MEXICO, IN MARCH OF 2019. THIS BUTTERFLY FLEW 2,174 MILES! THIS IS THE SECOND TAGGED MONARCH TO BE FOUND IN MEXICO FROM HARRISVILLE, MICHIGAN, SINCE 2010. SEE MAP BELOW FOR THE LOCATION OF EL ROSARIO.
THE MONARCH WAS RECOVERED AT EL ROSARIO, MEXICO, IN MARCH OF 2019. THIS BUTTERFLY FLEW 2,174 MILES! THIS IS THE SECOND TAGGED MONARCH TO BE FOUND IN MEXICO FROM HARRISVILLE, MICHIGAN, SINCE 2010. SEE MAP BELOW FOR THE LOCATION OF EL ROSARIO.
The map above is the monarch biosphere of 139,000 acres within the orange lines, or 56,259 hectares. Monarchs once occupied 30 acres in the 1980s, or 12 hectares. Last year, the monarchs occupied about 7 acres, or about 2.8 hectares.
