It’s actually pretty easy to determine the gender of a
monarch (see photos top right):
• • Males have two black spots (one on each side) visible
on the topside of their hind wings.
• • Veining on their wings is thinner than on females.
• • Females do not have the two black spots.
• • Veining on their wings is thicker than on males.
WINTER/SPRING 2019 • VOLUME 41
Male identified by
two spots on hind
wings and thin
black veining.
Female identified
by absence of two
spots and thicker
black veining.
Photo
Tagging of monarchs continues today as we look to add
to our understanding of these colorful creatures and seek
ways to ensure their survival. In fact, tagging has gained
momentum with citizen scientists contributing significantly
to the effort. Volunteers are tagging monarchs throughout the
Lowcountry. Here on Kiawah Island naturalists at the Heron
Park Nature Center have been tagging for three years.
From November to April, Kiawah naturalists go in search
of monarchs armed with nets, log sheets, tags and a great deal
of patience. When a butterfly is captured, it is gently removed
from the net holding all 4 wings firmly between 2 fingers.
Minimal handling is always the intention in order to limit
damage. However, the wings, which appear delicate, are in fact
remarkably resilient. Taggers record location and conditions
of the capture and make note of the gender before they place
a tiny, lightweight tag on the underside of the hind wing.
Specifically, it is placed over a mitten-shaped cell close to the
center of gravity where it will not impede flight. Then they
release the butterfly to exactly the place it was captured.
Tagging is successful only on mild days with little wind.
When the temperatures drop below 60 degrees, monarchs
remain clustered high up in trees in a form of hibernation.
When the weather warms and the sun comes out, they
shake their wings and head out probably looking for a bit of
nourishment. And then, by late spring they are gone.
Another forty years have passed since Dr. Urquhart first
tracked that monarch to the remote mountains of Mexico,
and there is still much we don’t know. Scientists continue to
seek clues as to why a cold, seemingly inhospitable place in
Mexico is the winter home for millions of monarchs. While
we have often spotted monarchs on Kiawah, usually during
the peak migration months of October and November, we
are just now beginning to document their presence along the
southeastern coast during the winter and perhaps during their
breeding cycle. Data gained will add to our understanding of
the impact habitat destruction and climate change may have.
It also should clarify what adjustments we need to make to
stem the declines.
Meanwhile, plant native milkweed in a sunny spot in your
yard to draw monarchs whenever they are here and maybe even
provide a spot for another generation of monarchs to grow.
Other butterflies and hummingbirds will thank you as well. NK
Female with tag
on underside of
hind wing.
How to find native milkweed
Interactive native plant finders are helpful. Using your
zip code you can search plants for your area, create a
list for your use, and determine what wildlife has co-
evolved with a particular plant and will benefit from it.
Some list local sources and contact information.
• • National Wildlife (based on the work
of Dr. Doug Tallamy):
www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
• • Audubon Society:
www.audubon.org/native-plants
• • The Town of Kiawah has a Native Plants
Database: www.kiawahisland.org/plants-database/
The unusual life cycle
of the monarch butterfly
Four generations make up one full year cycle. Each
generation completes one leg of the annual migration,
deposits eggs on milkweed and dies, leaving the
completion of the journey to subsequent generations.
• • The adult that migrates south and hibernates has a
life span of six to nine months.
• • His/Her children, grandchildren and great-
grandchildren, will each live only six to 10 weeks as
they travel north.
• • Each generation goes through the same four stages:
egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and butterfly
(adult).
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