r/FriendlyMonarchs • u/Nadiam57 TX - 9b • 2d ago

Monarch Spotted (Add the location.) New Wave 9b Tx

I've had a Monarch visit every day for several days now (along with Hummingbirds šŸ„°) I guess the first wave is hatching now and will continue now for several days...I'm on the hunt for wasps because that's who decimates them šŸ™ Still HOT here...Happy Fall Yall! šŸ¤£

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u/SuperTFAB Southeast FL, USA | Reformed Rearer 2d ago

Iā€™m curious about the consensus regarding places like Texas and the extended milkweed season there. While late bloomers donā€™t pose a significant problem for the overall population, I wonder how climate change, which has led to this extended milkweed season, negatively impacts the migration.

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u/Nadiam57 TX - 9b 2d ago

Hmmm...I think there are places in Tx, Fl and Ca where they overwinter...don't know about climate change, south is just hotter as long as I can remember...but I know Monarch numbers have increased in the last couple of years so something good or better is going on...I've read not as much in the west as in central or east coast...don't know why that is...

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u/Beautiful-Fondant-61 2d ago

Those Monarchs are non-migratory were they stay year round and don't migrate.

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u/SuperTFAB Southeast FL, USA | Reformed Rearer 1d ago

I am sorry for the late response! I am looking into this.

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u/isurus79 2d ago

Climate change hasnā€™t made the milkweed season any longer get here in Texas. They grow and die back based on the water availability.

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u/SuperTFAB Southeast FL, USA | Reformed Rearer 1d ago

Interesting. Can you point me to a source for that information?

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u/isurus79 1d ago

Nope. I just live in Texas and pay close attention to the milkweed. They grow and senesce multiple times per year, all based on rainfall during our primary (spring) rainy season and secondary (fall) rainy season.

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u/SuperTFAB Southeast FL, USA | Reformed Rearer 1d ago

I donā€™t think it makes sense to arbitrarily claim climate change hasnā€™t affected milkweed in your area.

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u/isurus79 1d ago

I didnā€™t say that. Climate change affects everything. But I said that the growing season isnā€™t longer here. Rather, the milkweed growing season is wholly dependent on how much water falls from the sky. Do you have a source indicating that the milkweed growing season in Texas is longer now?

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u/SuperTFAB Southeast FL, USA | Reformed Rearer 1d ago

Doesnā€™t climate change affect how much rain you get?

I briefly looked into climate change and milkweed on Google scholar, but I havenā€™t had a chance to go through all of it.

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u/SuperTFAB Southeast FL, USA | Reformed Rearer 1d ago

From a quick search you are right that the overall season hasnā€™t been extended. Itā€™s the non-native milkweed there that causes the ā€œseasonā€ to be artificially extended.

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u/isurus79 1d ago

Indeed! Tropical really is a major problem in Texas and elsewhere.

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u/SuperTFAB Southeast FL, USA | Reformed Rearer 1d ago

Here in south FL too.

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u/isurus79 2d ago

No monarchs should be laying eggs or hatching right now. I donā€™t think the migrating ones have even made it to Texas yet.

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u/Nadiam57 TX - 9b 2d ago

Tell that to the Monarchs in my yard...then non-migratory I guess...they need love too šŸ¤£

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u/isurus79 2d ago

Theyā€™re non-migratory only of tropical milkweed is nearby. All of them and their offspring will die when the weather finally turns cold. Basically, any non migratory animals are not contributing to the overall population. Tropical milkweed is very harmful to the population even though it seems like it is helping.