Author: André-Philippe Drapeau Picard

Faithful to instinct, the monarchs have hit the road for Mexico. The autumn migration is a great adventure, but one that only an estimated half of the butterflies survive. And with climate change, the challenge they face is even greater… by André-Philippe Drapeau Picard, Mission Monarch coordinator   To read this article, please visit the Space for… Continue reading The monarchs have left

The 2018 edition of the Blitz took place from July 28 to August 5. This year again, it was a success! Thanks to those who shared observations of monarchs and milkweeds during that period, we broke last year’s records. Here are some numbers demonstrating the energy invested by Mission Monarch participants during the Blitz. by André-Philippe Drapeau Picard, Mission Monarch coordinator… Continue reading The 2018 Blitz by numbers

They’re back! On May 2, the first Canadian monarch observation of 2018 was reported. The butterfly was seen at Point Pelee National Park. How does this observation compare with past years? Let’s take a look at the archives… by André-Philippe Drapeau Picard Mission Monarch coordinator In spring, some people seem seized with fever and exhibit strange… Continue reading Monarchs are here!

Last evaluation shows Eastern monarch population has dropped by 15% since last year. These worrisome numbers emphasize that more work is needed to understand and protect the migratory monarch, which is at risk of extinction. By André-Philippe Drapeau Picard Mission Monarch coordinator Since a historical peak in 1997, the Eastern migratory monarch population has declined… Continue reading Monarch population drops by 15%

The Monarch Butterfly Research and Monitoring Workshop was held in Montreal from February 6 to 8. Monarch conservation experts from Canada, Mexico, and the United States met to review the state of knowledge and define subsequent research priorities. Here is a summary of this busy trinational meeting. By André-Philippe Drapeau Picard Mission Monarch coordinator Save… Continue reading Monarch summit meeting

By André-Philippe Drapeau Picard Mission Monarch coordinator 2017 has been an intense year, and we plan 2018 to be just as much! The survey filled by Mission Monarch participants in 2017 allowed us to identify your needs. So here are the team’s resolutions for the beginning year.   We want to see you again in… Continue reading 2018: The Mission Monarch team makes resolutions

By Daphné Laurier Montpetit Coordinator of the Mission Monarch project With the holidays approaching, we can only raise our glasses to the participants of Mission Monarch! For this second year of existence, the project has exceeded expectations. Dear citizen scientists, here’s to you! 2017 overview Many of you have mobilized for the monarch. This year… Continue reading Time to celebrate!

by Daphné Laurier Montpetit Mission Monarch coordinator We see them go away – with some sadness – in fall. We know that they will be migrating for thousands of kilometers, and that their descendants will be back with the summer. But what’s going on between fall and spring? What do monarchs do during winter? Heading… Continue reading What do monarchs do during winter?

By Daphné Laurier Montpetit Mission monarch coordinator The monarchs of North America are known for their spectacular annual migration from Canada to Mexico. Each fall, the butterflies undertake a 4000 km journey to the oyamel fir forests, in central Mexico, where they spend the winter. Once spring arrives, they are off again for a northern… Continue reading How do monarchs find their way?

By Daphné Laurier Montpetit Mission Monarch coordinator It is called the Painted lady (Vanessa cardui), and it is the most common species of butterfly in the world. In Canada, it seems to follow a cycle: rare in some years, it returns in great numbers other summers. This year, observations of this species abound. With its… Continue reading The Monarch and the Painted lady: do you know how to differentiate them?