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Project Noah Nature School
Danaus plexippus
Monarch butterflies may once have been the most abundant species of butterfly on the entire planet, but their population has dwindled down to less than 10% of what their numbers used to be. Biologists think they form large clusters for warmth, largely in part to to them not being able to fly below 55F and so are frozen in a sort of suspended animation.
Overwintering, roosting butterflies have been seen on sumacs, locusts, basswood elm, oak, osage orange, mulberry, pecan, willow, cottonwood, and mesquite. In addition, they also need plenty of sunlight.
Working with and thanks to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
Spotted on Dec 18, 2014
Submitted on Dec 23, 2014
5 Comments
Thanks Fyn and PN Rangers! It is an honor, once again.
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Thank you Luis and Ava. No, Ava, I haven't read it. Not really a big reader. Thanks for sharing though :)
Beautiful series, Josh. Have you ever read Sweet Thursday by Steinbeck? It's the sequel to Cannery Row, and has a chapter about the Monarchs. It's one of my top three favorite novels.
Amazing series Joshua!