Raising Monarchs - Population Status 2024 (Help The Monarch Butterfly)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- It has been five years since the last one, it was high time we take a look at the population status of the Migratory Monarch populations. This episode explores and discusses the data of the last five years, including where we are now.
Mentioned In This Video:
Raising Monarchs - BTS - My Relocation
• Raising Monarchs - BTS...
Start here!
Raising Monarchs Instructional Video Series Parts 1 - 5:
• Raising Monarchs Part ...
Milkweed Instructional Video Series Parts 1 - 4:
• Planting Milkweed Part...
I have different uses for milkweed. Some are for caterpillar food. Some for seeds. This is some food for thought if you're getting into this long term.
"Milkweed Categories" - • Raising Monarchs - Mil...
Quick Tip for getting seedlings started:
"TP Core Sprouts" - • Raising Monarchs - TP ...
Sanitation instruction:
"Sanitation" - • Raising Monarchs - San...
Risks of overcrowding and tips to avoid it:
"Overcrowding" - • Raising Monarchs - Ove...
Outdoor rearing example:
"Outdoor Rearing" - • Raising Monarchs - Out...
Discussion of the outdoor rearing University of Chicago study:
"Captive Rearing And Migration" - • Raising Monarchs - Cap...
Issues that can occur with the chrysalis:
"Chrysalis Issues" - • Raising Monarchs - Chr...
How to bleach treat eggs:
"OE Parasite Prevention" - • Raising Monarchs - OE ...
How to bleach treat leaves:
"Preventing NPV and Other Infections" - • Raising Monarchs - Pre...
How to make a proper honey/water solution and feed adult Monarchs (or any butterfly):
"How To Feed Adults" - • Raising Monarchs - How...
Options for when an adult can not successfully fly:
"When Adults Can't Fly" - • Raising Monarchs - Whe...
What the experts have to say about OE Parasites and when to euthanize:
"Should We Euthanize?" - • Raising Monarchs - Sho...
Discussion on the life cycle of OE Parasites and how they affect the Monarch Butterflies:
"What Are OE Parasites?" - • Raising Monarchs - Wha...
For a much more detailed description of how the Texas drought(s) has affected the Monarch's population this season, here is a link to a very informative Monarch Watch (dot org) Blog Post:
monarchwatch.org/blog/2024/02/07/background-on-overwintering-monarch-numbers-in-2023-2024/
I am in Southern California and just found almost 30 monarch caterpillars on my milkweed yesterday. These are my first sightings all season. I am feeling hopeful!
Hey, now that's pretty awesome! Those are some encouraging numbers, in your area. How has the new law in CA been working out?
@@MrLundScience oh gosh, what new law? 👀
To my knowledge, currently in California, taking Monarchs in from the wild (even if from your backyard) is unlawful.
wildlife.ca.gov/COQA/do-i-need-a-permit-to-use-monarch-butterflies-for-educational-purposes#:~:text=It%20is%20unlawful%20to%20collect,learn%20about%20migration%20and%20metamorphosis.
Not sure if that's something you've done in the past, or if you just have milkweed and let them do their thing. Thought I'd ask, as being from CA and having an interest in Monarchs, you might have heard of how some are fairing with it.
Me too, I'm swamped with eggs and cats.
After having the worst start to any season I have had in the last 7 or so years, I finally found my first 5 eggs today. Felt like a day that would never come this year.
Hey hey, congratulations! Great to hear that hope was not lost! Hope the caterpillars are doing well! 🤞
Crazy man, I’ve watched your videos for over 6 years, absolutely nuts, was looking at old pictures last week, and noticed I’ve been raising monarchs for 7 years when I first met my step son.
I started when he was 4 and he’s now almost 12. Time flies
I fully agree with you. Time has flown, and looking back on how quickly, it's nuts. I am humbled to have been a part of you teaching your step son about Monarchs and conservation. Very awesome of you! 🦋🤘
"I'll see you next time."
Hopefully, sooner rather than later. Keep those vids coming sir.
Likely sooner. Two further videos have already been filmed and are both in various stages of the editing process. There's a list of 10 ideas worthy of episodes, too. Busy busy busy (and happy to be so)! 👍
Good video. I learnt to raise Monarchs watching your videos. Monarchs frequently came to lay eggs on my swamp milkweed. Last year and this I have seen only one Monarch so far and no caterpillars.
Thank you for getting involved and your conservation efforts! I'm sorry that the numbers for you have been so low so far. From others in these comments, though, you're not alone. Here's hoping for an increase in sightings as they reproduce and numbers rise!
It is so good to see you again!!! Thank you so much for starting your videos again.
This year I planted 70 swamp milkweed to add to my pollinator property, along with a couple hundred rooted coneflower.
I have common milkweed in year 2 this season and have butterfly milkweed still struggling to root in trays.
Planted 3 butterfly bush last week and 8 more to go in the ground this fall.
Excited to get this established and see the results over the next couple years.
Thank you for the update.
Coneflowers are fantastic...and despite having great luck with them at the previous residence, at the new homestead, we've tried to get them going, but with limited luck. This season, however, it seems some we've planted have done it, and will actually be seeding and coming back. In a way, you and I are around the same phases in starting our yards. I too am excited to see how these plans shape out over the next few years.
Good luck to your efforts, and I hope your season is going well! 😃👍
Mr. Lund, I was so happy when you started your Monarch conservation efforts here on YT and I'm thrilled to see that you're still at it! :)
I found 5 eggs 2 weeks ago, one of the earliest findings for me over so many years. Only 2 survived. Both are in chrysalis now.
As for the population, yes, 0.9 ha is bad, but I remember the 0.67 ha count and that was the worst. That year was terrifying. We did see upticks afterward last time and let's hope and pray we see an uptick again. I've been planting in overdrive ever since and I'm grateful to everyone who has joined the cause to help restore host plants and nectar sources. Not seeing many Monarchs though.
My 2 pupated yesterday and I sexed my chrysalises and have 1 male and 1 female, so I am very excited at the prospect of a breeding pair! Stay strong and keep growing all you can, Monarch Guardians! Don't forget nectar plants too!
Greetings Ana! Good to see you around. I do indeed remember you from the comments sections from some time ago. Sounds like you have indeed been busy! And at a new residence, my wife and I are building the garden, a bit each year, and this fall, fall nectaring plants I'm hoping to focus on. I have a few ideas...
Thank you for your long term commitment! It's been a quick decade!
I'm in north Carolina and have only seen a few, but no eggs. Two years ago I raised around 1000,last year around 700. Today it's July 3 and so far only 20. I have plenty of milk weed and a alot of flowers. It's sad,have seen a few swallow tails but no caterpillars.
This does seem consistent with what others are experiencing, as far as the low starting numbers resulting in a slow start to this season. I'm hoping July is the month for many of us. I was able to go from 4 for the season to 11 with a good find of 7 yesterday...and it was a hard, sought for 7. I got lucky. Here's to hoping for more sightings for you, and soon!
Same here. In North Carolina, very few butterflies and caterpillars. Plenty of milkweed.
Thank you for being a voice of not just reason, but one of optimism. We fight on. Took in first egg yesterday,July 2. So far, the only one in my backyard. ( southern Ontario.)
I can be optimistic with 0.90 ha. It's if the number goes below 0.67 ha, that's when my optimism may falter. Good luck with your new egg!
hey, southern ontario here. I have one adult who just emerged, 2 chrysalises, and 13 eggs! This is the most ive ever taken in.
Glad I found your channel. Had tons of caterpillars earlier this season but had issues with my milkweed plants abruptly dying
Thanks for another great video. I always appreciate your analysis. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio and I haven't seen any monarchs yet. I end up all over town for my job, and I haven't seen any anywhere. Regardless, we make our garden bigger every year. As always, thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks, Steve. I appreciate your appreciation. It would seem from just this comments section alone, Ohio is having lower sightings than people are expecting...but that some are finding them. As reproduction of the generations occur, I'm hoping numbers allow for improvement of this. People can be bummed when the Monarchs don't visit their yard. Wishing you luck!
@@MrLundScience Well, the milkweed bugs are having an absolute blast.
It's not the same population you're speaking of (I think the western monarchs don't go to Mexico) so I don't know how valuable this anecdote would be. But here in Orange County CA, there are lots of monarchs. I see them fluttering overhead as I drive. Odd because I don't remember seeing this many last year. Loads of daily eggs on my native milkweeds so I've been passing whole plants to neighbors for their gardens. Praying for similar flourishing on the eastside. It's exciting seeing so many people passionate about these amazing animals and I'm glad there are folks out there helping to keep noobs like me in the loop.
Good news is certainly appreciated! Great to hear that they are thriving in your location!
I am in Tustin Ca 4th season raising them. I took seed from my plants at home to the raised beds at work and grew beautiful plants although they are tropical. Resulted in many cats, although some are missing and died. Lots of wasps this year.
So glad to see you back with this information. I absolutely love how you explain things so even kids can understand; I've used your videos for teaching purposes and in our homeschool lessons. You have a way of communicating to others in a way you don't talk down to them but yet it's easy to understand. Absolutely love your videos.
As a teacher who strives for such, those are some strong words of compliment. I take them to heart, and will continue to do my best to offer such. Cool that you've used some of these videos to instruct! I hope I did the lesson service! 😁👍
Love your work Mr. Lund. I'm in San Diego and although it's illegal to raise Them, I'm still trying to provide plenty of Milkweed for a Butterfly Garden.
But, the Tanchid Fly is a huge problem here otherwise I'd have so many more Monarch's. I recommend your videos to newbies to learn how to raise Monarch's. I hope you continue to make more videos in the future. I wish My Milkweed plants were as big as yours!! Wow!
Thanks again for the update! 😊
I'm educating myself these days as to what CA has had happened. Was this only as of this year? I'm afraid I did not hear about this until this recent spring. How are they dealing with natural milkweed that might grow in someone's yard? Is that considered protected habitat? Like, if it is growing and there's an egg laid on it, is it illegal to mow it? (I certainly wouldn't want to, of course, but am curious about the legal situations that may have come up, if you've heard about them by chance.) Still, with that said, very cool that you are continuing the conservation efforts with the garden work! Thank you for that! 🙏🦋
I’m in central Ohio. Have not seen any Monarchs in my milkweed patch, or anywhere for that matter, first week of July
With small starting numbers, spotty or no sightings in locations, unfortunately, is expected. So, good news, based on other comments from OH and others north of you, they have definitely arrived. As the summer unfolds, the generations will increase the numbers, so here's hoping that July shall be your month. (And on years when the numbers have been more plentiful that this, I've sometimes not had luck until late July. It can happen.) I wish you luck in some soon future sightings!
Central Kansas. I have seven varieties of milkweed growing but haven't seen any Monarchs so far this season. But, I'll be ready when they do arrive to this area.
I do hope some things change for you. This comment was from nine days ago...perhaps they have? 🤞
Hi from Dallas Texas and thanks for the video.
In 2021 I had released 385 Monarchs which was the biggest release I ever had.
2022 and 2023, Texas had bad droughts both years, so that might have played a factor in the smaller numbers.
I have 7 Monarchs in a chrysalis right now and have released 60 so far.
Greetings Ryan! For sure, the TX droughts have played a role, indeed. At those times, that's the nectar that allows the over-wintering generation the needed energy for the trip, and the time till spring (as you likely know). So, with smaller numbers, those Monarchs are thus, in some ways more important than other seasons! Thus, bravo on your 60 so far, and good luck with the coming 7!
Last year, I released 151 monarchs found on milkweed within a mile of home. This year, it'll be 5 unless I come across eggs laid recently. I highly doubt this number will increase. Monarch sightings picked up in the last 2 weeks but they are nectaring and headed south as they should be. The drought broke here in May but it was unusually cool and rainy for a long time which impacted things. I planted 15 additional milkweeds with the extra time on my hands. My property is small, so I had to get creative.
So far in Westfield Township Ohio I have not seen one Monarch butterfly. My established milkweed is growing strong and my second year garden is showing strength. I will keep the Monarch sanctuary going and when they come it will be here.
Here's to hoping that you won't need to wait too long. Perhaps it's an "any day now" situation.
Barren year for Joliet, Illinois. Love your explanation for the low numbers , and your optimism for the future. I have 3X’s more milkweed growing on my property this year, than I had last year. Please, keep up your good work! 💜
I’m in Wisconsin and Ive only found one baby cat and that’s it. Zero eggs. Worst year yet.
Good to see you Mr Lund!!
Happy to be here!
Last summer we had far fewer monarchs than in previous years up here in mid coast Maine. In my area I found a total of 3 monarch eggs & caterpillars combined and I never saw a single adult monarch. By contrast, in 2022 I found over 60 eggs + caterpillars in the same area. I figured that it was a combination of the unusually wet weather, the lower than average temps, and the smoke from the wildfires north of us in Canada. While we didn't experience the smoke, I have family father south along the migration route that had a hard time with it. I'd love to know for sure what the cause was but I probably never will.
Fortunately, this year the monarchs seem to be making up for lost time. As usual we didn't see our first monarch adult, egg, or caterpillar until July 19, but since then we have found dozens upon dozens of eggs and caterpillars and spotted a few adults in the wild as well. We just need people to plant more milkweed around here, or at least leave what's already here alone, and we'll be all set!
A milkweed focused year is a good idea.
If I'm not busy with Monarchs, I make sure to be busy with milkweed. (And actually, busy with milkweed even when I am busy with Monarchs, to be honest.)
Central Florida is Monarch central for the last several years. I never look outside without seeing them buzzing around my milkweed patch. It happens all year round. Last year I even got some Caribbean Queens. All is not lost. I don’t think our Monarchs even travel to Mexico. They are here year round.
Very true, there are locations in Florida that have some year round populations. Very cool that you had some Queens as well! I'm a bit jealous!
Was having some trouble this season at first. But my luck changed and I've had around 10 eclose, 14 more in chrysalis, and 7 left in the 2nd and 3rd instar stage.
Very awesome, especially about the luck changing! Without being too specific, roughly, where are you located? (It can be encouraging to hear for those near your region who haven't seen any and are questioning if they're around.)
Thank you for your help with the Monarchs!
You make a very good point in your video. If we hadn't made our efforts to increase milkweed, maybe the over wintering population would have been even lower. I am up in Ludington, MI. I had zero milkweed when I bought this house 8 years ago. Now I have a 4x20 foot area in my alley of common milkweed. I have lot of swamp and other milkweed in my natuve flower beds (the type that don't spread by rhizones) I and my sons have found 10 eggs. 3 didn't hatch and I suspect were not fertilized. I have only seen one mating pair this year. All other monarchs were singles.
Central Ohio. First sighting 7/1/24. My area continues to have plenty of milkweed but problems with disease, predation, and heavy pesticide and biologics use (BT).
Others in Ohio are reporting no sightings yet, so it's great to hear of those who have seen them!
Thanks for the update on Monarch population. During the pandemic I took the opportunity to plant LOTS of varieties of milkweed. The plants are strong this year. Praying for some of our lovely Monarchs to visit and enjoy the flowering bushes and deposit eggs of next gen.
Sounds like you used some pandemic time quite well! Expanding a garden is a lot of work, as this new residence is reminding me. I do hope that you encounter some soon! Good luck!
Your positive outlook is encouraging. I was devastated when I saw the population status report this year. Still no monarchs in my area in Canada but I typically start to see them from beginning to mid-July. I am hopeful that it will still be a good season to raise monarchs.
I also added a couple of questions on your AMA video. Hoping I'm not too late.
My positive outlook stems from the positive outlook of Monarch Watch. I trust their assessments very much, and they have always seemed to approach this in the most level-headed way. And I suppose a way I must approach it...If 0.67 ha was a number that warranted the last decade of efforts, 0.90 ha is definitely not a number that would cause me to deter from those efforts.
Hoping for you that July is your month! Thank you for your continued conservation efforts!
Nope! Not too late!
ALL pollinators are down in numbers significantly in my yard Bellevue Nebraska. Even wasps which were extremely abundant last summer. And I have probably 1,000 swamp
milkweed as a result of natural seed spread from last years 16 swamp milkweed that I planted. Something is very wrong this year. I even have a lot of parsley and dill planted and have ZERO swallowtails. I found a couple monarch caterpillars a week ago. Put one inside an enclosure and a day later it made a chrysalis but by day 5 it turned black
Ouch. This does sound like a rough start to the year, and on multiple fronts. Still, something to note, you did find two caterpillars, which is two more than others have, so far this season. I definitely hope that things improve as the season unfolds. I'm rooting for you!
I've seen a few in Florida and it makes me happy, even though it's less than 5 I've seen.
As their numbers increase (due to generational reproduction) through the season, hopefully your sightings do too!
Good info.👍
Thank you, kindly!
Ohio fb page I polled releases last Friday, our total =992, I will poll them again tommorrow.
Lots of monarch here in Miami, my milkweed plenty of caterpillars I think they are like permanent resident to this area and don't migrate to Mexico.
I would agree, there are areas in your region where permanent Monarchs have some residence. Still, cool to hear that they are thriving where you are at. We all love the good news where we can find it! 😃🦋👍
Hi Rich. I live near the Bruce Peninsula in Southwest Ontario. There is a huge water crossing between Tobermory and Manitulin Island. Would you expect our Monarch population is as far north as they'd go before heading back south? I believe you are in Michigan so I expect you have an idea about the geography on the Canadian side of Lake Huron...the best Great Lake!
Greetings! I am indeed familiar with the geography and location you speak of. (My original hometown is Port Huron, and we have a bride with Sarnia, you are likely aware of, where Lake Huron becomes the St. Clair River. For these sentimental reasons, I certainly agree with you, Lake Huron is the BEST Great Lake, indeed!)
Do Monarchs populate further north than the latitude you are at? Yes! This Blog from Monarch Watch is both recent, on topic, and conveniently shows the northern limits of where the Monarch populations range.
monarchwatch.org/blog/2024/02/07/background-on-overwintering-monarch-numbers-in-2023-2024/
If you are asking if any head up that coastline, but then do not proceed north, but turn around and head south, I would first say, I do not know. I would speculate, however, that there are some that do proceed north across the water, some that might stick around the area and claim some territory, and some that might indeed turn around and head back south (with even a fraction of them perhaps changing their mind and heading back north). I think all of that happens, depending upon the individual. I predict this simply because Monarchs never seem to fear large distances over water. Some members of populations of the species have crossed oceans. Even a full blown Great Lake is nothing for the Monarch, provided the weather is cooperative.
I hope this helps! Thank you for your interest with them!
Thank you for your help and efforts with the Monarch
I am up in Maryland and have seen only one Monarch so far and only 2 last year, haven’t been able to find any caterpillars either, on my plants and in local areas with common milkweed
I'm sorry to hear that. I do hope your luck changes. It may be taking longer for the populations to seek out milkweed along your route from the south. Again, I do hope things change for you soon. 🤞
@@MrLundScience True, Thank you🙏
@@MrLundScience A monarch just layed 5 eggs on my milkweed🎉
Barren for me in Oakland county this year
If this is in reference to Oakland County, Michigan, I found 7 eggs yesterday in Oakland County parking lots. I try to check out the random spots that I can, knowing they are typically "doomed" milkweed anyway. Perhaps try similar gas station and Target parking lots. I wish you luck!
Ouch. Thank you for this video.
Very welcome!
I live in Chicago Illinois the season began May 18
I found 18 eggs all were viable and I released all healthy adults.
Although it has been a slow monarch season I've been able to collect more eggs every day.
So far I have 45 caterpillars in different instars and hopefully I will find more as the newly released adults begin mating and laying eggs.🙏🦋🐛💙
While they might not be in each back yard, we know that they are indeed out there, and from my experience, it's been all about the parking lots for my finds.
Continued luck to you!
Happy to see you again! I have a very odd question, do you think as a science teacher, that Monarch poop would be beneficial for a compost pile?
Can I spread large quantities of milkweed seeds on roadside areas (that I know are never mowed) in the fall and then expect them to grow in the spring (I know they need to stratify)? Or would they need to be planted slightly beneath the dirt and watered (which is obviously not realistic for a large scale area; at least as far as watering)? I want to contribute to large scale milkweed planting. I live in Colorado and would love to see more milkweed. There are a surprising number of areas it could be grown when you actually look for them. It seems like everything is developed and concrete or sod, but there are so many nooks and cranny's everywhere that would be great.
Plant milkweed everyone get those hands dirty
Is this going to be an every year thing again?
I’m in northern Wisconsin. I’m wondering if my collection of eggs from a field near me has had a negative effect as there are very few monarchs and eggs versus last year?. I released over 100 last year.