This week we have fewer bogs and a more familiar butterfly - the Monarch!
Which picture below shows a male monarch?
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An easy quiz this week- everyone was correct - the male is on the right!
It’s easiest to sex a monarch from the upperside (wings out) view. Male monarchs have thinner black veins and on their hind wings there are two black spots along the vein closest to the body. These spots or stigmata are actually pheromone producing pouches called androconia. These extra scent producing spots are actually common in male butterflies and hint at a whole olfactory sensory dimension that we are missing out on! You can read more about research on butterfly pheromones in Heliconia here. Females have thicker black veins, making them appear darker and lack these spots.
Monarchs have just been proposed for Endangered Species Act protection in the United States - read the press release, add a public comment or attend a webinar.
Female monarch by kcthetc1 (iNaturalist)
Male monarch by sm40052 (iNaturalist)
Check out the Week 5 quiz here.
