The Monarch Butterfly Crusader

If you would like to better understand monarchs as they migrate through Texas....https://monarchwatch.org/blog/

Do you know what this line is called?

You have to see this. A pandemic induced youtube nature series, starring a talented (about) 6 year old! Who better to teach kids about nature. This episode feature the monarch. Is this something you could do with your kids?https://www.baltimoresun.com//cc-nature-nerds-20210528-xj7

QUIZ Is that oe on the egg? Credit Jim Ellis.

What's happening inside the J?

As part of my beat-the-covid-winter-blues plan, I am inviting you to meet some of our favourite monarch authors, via ZOOM! We'll meet Lynn Rosenblatt, Tony Gomez, Brenda Dziedzic and Kylee Baumle, among others. My first guest will be New York Times Best Selling Author Wendy Williams! Check out the superlative reviews of her latest book, The Language of Butterflies, here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501178067 Wendy will share behind the scenes details on the writi...ng of her book, along with tidbits and factoids about monarchs and other butterflies that you never knew. Most of the session will be Q & A. WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2, 4:00 pm EST Participants are limited to 80, so make sure you register with me soon. Write WENDY in the subject line, and send your email to [email protected]. This is going to be FUN!'

If I were 25 years younger.... :) https://www.gypsydreamerdesigns.net//womens-padded-sports-

I'd love to meet you as I interview New York Times best selling author Wendy Williams! Learn something new about monarch butterflies, hear fascinating butterfly adventure stories, and ask questions. You don't need to have read the book to enjoy this fun discussion.

Time to rethink your lawn.

"If enough people get on board..." Illinois has lofty plans for our butterfly.https://herald-review.com//article_4309b840-3c07-58fe-9452

Yay! Monarchs have the will to survive, and will fight competitors for food. ;)https://www.ecowatch.com/hungry-angry-caterpillars-26489917

Monarch migration news: More reports of peak activity and roosts have come in from Mexico as monarchs approach their overwintering grounds. Out west, monarchs are reaching the last leg of their journey as they enter California and move through Arizona.

How many tachinid fly larvae fit inside a monarch caterpillar? Fun science day at the cottage with my son.

This is the last of the milkweed bugs in Toronto. And then, all that will be left to shoot is exploding milkweed pods.

GM is including 16 acres of wildlife habitat, including monarch habitat, at is revamped factory in Detroit! https://www.ctvnews.ca//gm-unveils-factory-zero-as-it-emba

Toronto mailbox is a memorial to her sister.

Still limp after emerging, this monarch displays its labial palps, using them to zip the proboscis together.

Emotional monarch moments. https://mailtribune.com//colu/monarchs-rising-from-the-ash

If I lived in Mexico, I would make an extra effort to visit the sanctuaries, (except Cerro Pelon) and spend as much money as I could there, and bring people. https://mexiconewsdaily.com//health-protocols-in-place-re/ I would go on week days, first thing in the morning, then return at the end of the day. ;)

Look inside a tachinid fly.

Happening now in Mexico.

The Monarch Crusader dissects a dead caterpillar to determine the cause of death. Warnning: Graphic gross out!

The puckers, and pink colour, tell you a tachinid fly laid eggs on this caterpillar.

If you've tried to get a good shot of a chrysalis, you know how challenging the lighting can be. @Lynn Rosenblatt nails it.

In case you are not already familiar with Journey North. Please report your roosts. :)

Milkweed conversation piece for your garden: Hairy Balls.

Aphids have live birth every 20 minutes!! And... at this time of year, I cut my infested milkweed down, as aphids overwinter in the soil. https://www.oregonlive.com//how-to-get-rid-of-aphids-on-mi

Wouldn't it be fun to see swarms of butterflies downtown, like they do in Chicago?https://blockclubchicago.org//hundreds-of-monarch-butterf/

You're never too young, or too old, to make a difference. https://www.columbiatribune.com//monarch-man-cedarhurst-re

Sometimes, monarchs don't want to switch from one variety to the other, but when there is no choice, most of them will.

Do you see the newly emerged large milkweed bug, and its exoskeleton? Today in Toronto.

Monarch meadow by the lake in Ajax, Ontario. Despite the high winds at the lake in the background, there were plenty of monarchs to be tagged, as the trees offered wind protection.

I'm thinking it must have been quite a wrestling match to get this monarch tagged. :) (scroll)https://theindependent.com//collection_030725de-f6ff-11ea-

Cluster eye candy from Ohio.https://www.beaconjournal.com//monarch-butterf/5803697002/

A new milkweed was discovered in China!https://phys.org//2020-09-species-milkweed-subfamily-yunna

This spot is optimal for flight, don't stick the tag just anywhere. Thank you!

Male Monarch chrysalis on left. Female on right.

Fabulous day tagging at Newcastle, Ontario, then watching the roosts form.

In case you can still find some small, immature pods. https://www.illinoistimes.com//fried-milkweed-pods/Content

Dr. Chip Taylor, still telling the whole story. For those who the big picture.

Exciting! Time to get rid of the lawn!

Today's gross out if provided by the tachinid fly.

This team of volunteers, planting TWO THOUSAND plugs, are making a difference in Illinois.

Just by chance, or is she talking to him?

Get yourself on the news, and start spreading this new important message. We need everyone to check their local roosts for tags. Take a telephoto camera, or get lucky and discover a low roost. We tag so many. We need more domestic recoveries to learn more about the monarch's flight path to Mexico.

Everybody has a system. This is JP's. He used plastic wrap on a wood from to create this very clear habitat. He gets the caterpillars, because he grows milkweed, and allows some to grow, on his sweet potato farm in southern Ontario! This is the only thing on display in the place he sells his potatoes!

Never miss a teaching moment, especially at the trailer park. Yesterday, in Erieau, Ontario.

Monarchs on the move. In the east, roost sightings increase. In the west, early reports of tagged monarchs moving south and west from Oregon and Utah are already appearing as the annual Fall migration begins. Keep reporting to Journey North.

Did you ever watch a monarch pump up its tentacles after a molt?

Yay, just one more week until the start of tagging season in Toronto!