milkweed is starting to bloom

As the temperatures have gotten warmer and warmer here in eastern PA, the Monarchs have been appearing. Several have been seen in the area in the past few days. The warm weather also signals time for the milkweed, the Monarch caterpillar foodplant, to start blooming. The Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) in the garden at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center is in full bloom, but the wild plants of this species are not yet blooming. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), which is not planted in the LGNC's gardens, is blooming. Many of the abandoned fields and roadsides in the area are filled with this beautiful plant. Finally, Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is beginning to bloom at the LGNC. Along the Three Ponds Trail, the Swamp Milkweed has not yet opened, but along the Osprey House Pond, the flowers have opened.

In one area in the vicinity of the Lehigh Gap, Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) was found blooming. This species prefers wooded areas, which Monarchs tend not to occur, but this is still an interesing milkweed species.

Monarch sighting

Today a single Monarch was seen flying through the restored grassland at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.

Monarch migration

Two years ago, I tagged a Monarch in Kunkletown, Pennsylvania that was re-found in El Rosario, Mexico.  El Rosario is just north of Mexico City and is a major wintering site for Monarchs.  As the crow (or the monarch, if it flew straight) flies, this Monarch flew over 2,300 miles.

Google Maps:

Lehigh Gap Nature Center Adopt-a-Monarch Program

This blog is for the Lehigh Gap Nature Center's Adopt-a-Monarch program. With this program, anyone can adopt a monarch that will be tagged as it migrates to Mexico for the winter. For $5, anyone can help study the movements of these amazing butterflies.

Participants will receive a certificate and a photograph of the Monarch that they supported.

To learn more about adopting a monarch, contact Corey Husic at monarch@lgnc.org