Tagging

Although we know much more about monarchs than in the past, there are still many unanswered questions about the fall migration to Mexico.

We hope our participation will help scientists learn enough about monarchs that we can help them survive.

We’ve done this project for a number of years.

If you look closely, you’ll see that the tag has a number on it. Unfortunately, I initially had a tendency to stick it on upside down. I’ve corrected that.

Why is this important? Experts can actually read the numbers through binoculars, which is probably a little more difficult when they’re upside down.

I try not to touch the adhesive part of the tag since human skin oils interfere with the adhesive. We use the rounded end of a metal nail file needle to attach the tag.

When tagged monarchs are recovered in Mexico, they record the information on the Monarch Watch website.

It’s amazing to think that one of the little caterpillars I raised in my family room [NOTE: I no longer do this] grew into a butterfly that flew all the way to Mexico!