WSU Professor Looks To Monitor Monarch Paths

Monarch butterflies are known for migrating hundreds, if not thousands of miles.  But where they go has long been a mystery; until now.

Tracking relied on simple paper tags, leaving scientists with only a beginning and an end point.

“It was a bit like looking at only the first and last pages of a book,” said David James, Washington State University entomology professor and longtime monarch scientist. “It was the best we could do then, but thankfully the technology has evolved and now we can track them more precisely.”

Improving Tracking Data

James is working with the nonprofit Wings Rising on “Adopt-a-Monarch,” aiming to tag at least 100 butterflies before they leave Idaho later this summer.

The solar-powered devices transmit location data during daylight, allowing scientists to follow each butterfly’s route in real time.  The new tags are quite tiny by human standards but bigger and heavier than the previous tags. James said the analog tags are the equivalent of a set of keys in a person’s pocket. The new versions are more akin to wearing a backpack all the time.

Early results show dramatically improved tracking and survival data.

“In the past, we tagged thousands of monarchs. For every 200 tags, we’d average about one recovery,” James said. “Based on early results from the East Coast, all of them can be tracked and over 40% of the monarchs are still alive after six months with the new tags.”

Research Could Also Aid Conservation Efforts

The tags cost about $200 a piece.  When people donate, they can adopt a specific butterfly and track its journey. They can name their butterfly, then check in daily, or even hourly, to spot locations visited by their little friend.

Tracking the butterflies’ movements may help solve a mystery that has long baffled scientists: Where do Idaho monarchs go when they migrate? 

“Idaho is a black hole of monarch information because there are fewer human-populated areas once they head south,” James said. “Maybe they go to California, too. Maybe Utah, Arizona, maybe even as far as Mexico. We just don’t know, but it would be helpful for conservation to find out.” 

The findings could also guide conservation, helping plant food sources along migration paths. 

“I’m excited to see this new technology in action,” said Raj Khosla, Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. “We need WSU scientists solving mysteries and helping important species like monarch butterflies not only survive but thrive in their environment. I applaud their efforts to engage community in advancing science.” 

Anyone interested in supporting James’ tagging work can do so through the Adopt-A-Monarch Website.

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