SOTHWEST MONARCH STUDY

Springerville / Eager Arizona July 31 - August 1, 2010

Bob (left) and Gail (not in picture) Morris started the weekend at the High Country Hummers Festival at Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area spreading the word about the Monarch Butterflies.

When Gail (not in picture) starts talking about Monarchs people will stop to learn about them.

Poison Milkweed (aka Horsetail Milkweed, Whorled Milkweed), Asclepias subverticillata at Winema Wildlife Area.

Milkweed is the favorite food of Monarchs and Queen Butterflies. They digest the poisons causing predators to avoid them.

Male Monarch Butterfly on a Milkweed at Winema Wildlife Area

 

 

HOW TO TAG A MONARCH

Step 1) Find a Monarch

Step 2) Catch the Monarch

 

Close up of the Tags that are placed on the wings of Monarch Butterflies

Step 3) Tag the Monarch

Step 4) A test strip for Ophtyocystis elektroscirrha (OE) is used on the abdomen of a Monarch. OE is a protozoan parasite.

After use this is what the OE test patch looks like after use

Step 5) The final step is the releasing of the Monarch back into the wild

Gail Morris (right) shows what fun a morning tagging Monarchs can be...

and great family fun!

Bob Morris (leg in the picture) has a way with Butterflies, this Painted Lady wanted his attention

Picture Taken by Michael Clinton , rights reserved