Monarch butterfly tagging

Project MonarchWatch (monarchwatch.com) tracks and studies the migration of monarch butterflies to their wintering grounds in Mexico. Each sticker has a unique identification number, website, and phone number for reporting the butterfly if it is found during its migration. The tags do not hurt the butterflies.

At the beginning of the video you can also see monarch chyrsalids, hanging from the top of the screen, that will hatch out into butterflies, and an empty case from one that had already hatched.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• MonarchWatch
• monarch butterfly
• butterfly tagging

[0MissElizabeth0]

as a casual observer - I would think the sticker should go on the other side of it's wings, the side its on now has the most wind-resistance , will start to peel off - no ?

[Amphibiansunrise]

@0MissElizabeth0 MonarchWatch did some tests to make sure the butterflies didn't get too much drag or weight from the stickers, so I'm assuming the wind-resistance is negligible whichever side, and the glue is special for butterfly wings, so it never peels off. I'm guessing the sticker goes on the underside because that's where it's most likely to be seen if the butterfly dies or is resting on something (most are recovered hibernating in Mexico).

[metamorphicmuse]

I have a ton of Monarch butterflies in my yard this year. :)

[Amphibiansunrise]

@metamorphicmuse Huh, not sure why this comment got flagged as spam - how strange. Anyway, I had a ton of monarchs in my yard this year too! :)

[mzh3000]

ever have a gigantic butterfly with blue on one side and an owl face on the other land right betweeen your folded hands............

It's horrifying.

[mentallyfat]

oh my gosh, I'd be so afraid of hurting them while trying to get the sticker on.. they look so delicate, and I'm such a klutz D: ah well, I'll just leave the tagging to the pros. haha

[0MissElizabeth0]

@Amphibiansunrise I see . . thanks for the reply :) they certainly are beautiful

[kphotographer]

Wow, they're so pretty! :)