Sweet March is Buzzin!

What we are celebrating this March:

The America's honeybee population has hit an all-time high! A 2022 census by the USDA suggests more than 1 million honey bee colonies have popped up around the U.S. since 2007, making them the fastest-growing type of livestock in the country, according to the Post.

Why it matters: Hive losses in the early 2000s ignited fears of "colony collapse." The domesticated western honey bee, an integral part of the world's food system, looked like it might be headed for widespread population collapse. In Texas alone, beekeeping operations have grown from 1,284 in 2007 to 8,939 in 2022.

🍯 Interesting reality check: Recent research suggests that despite recent increases in the honey bee population, honey yields in the U.S. have been decreasing since the 1990s because of changing climates and decreased soil productivity.

Spring back into Butterflies and into Reporting on Sightings!

Where to Submit: https://journeynorth.org/sightings/

I attached below a "Reporting Structure Process" that I will use (and hopefully you!) for my small scale butterfly farms. Journey North wants to know when the first Monarch Adults are sighted, first milkweed (some in my own backyard!), first Monarch Egg, first Monarch Adult, and other observations helpful to tracking for this spring season! I plan to be doing observation tours at all of my local small-scale butterfly farms daily this month and will report what I find !

Report: Monarch Adult (FIRST sighted)

• What: Did you see your first migrating monarch of the spring season? The first arrivals of monarchs to their breeding range occur from February to June depending on your location. Let us know when you see your first adult migrating monarch. Report the number of monarchs observed at a single location.

• Comments: What behaviors did you observe, such as flying, nectaring upon what flower species, mating, basking in shade or sun?

• Frequency: Once per spring season. Only one first spring observation is accepted for an individual observer reporting from a single location.

• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

Report: Milkweed (FIRST sighted)

• What: Did you see a newly emerged milkweed? Observations of the first milkweed emergence occur from February to June depending on your location.

• Comments: If known, please report (1) the species milkweed, (2) the height of the emergent plant (emergent: 2-5 inches; leaves present: 5 inches; a few flowers present with budding just starting; fruiting with pods present; leaves yellowing). Also, please let us know the size of the milkweed patch (few – 1-15 stems; denser patch – 15-50 stems; abundant patch – 50-100 stems; very abundant – 100+ stems). Frequency: Once per spring season. Only one first spring observation is accepted for an individual observer reporting from a single location.

• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

Report: Monarch Egg (FIRST sighted) and/or Monarch Larva (FIRST sighted)

• What: Did you your monarch egg and/or larvae for the spring season?

• Comments: If known, please report the species of milkweed you observed the egg(s) and/or larvae on.

• Frequency: Once per spring season. Only one first spring observation is accepted for an individual observer reporting from a single location.

• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

Report: Monarch Adult Sighted

• What: Where are monarchs? Report all monarch adults after reporting your first observation of a migrating monarch. Report the number of monarchs observed at a single location.

• Comments: What behaviors did you observe, such as flying, nectaring upon what flower species, mating, basking in shade or sun?

• Frequency: Report once a week when monarchs are present. Occasional reporting is welcome.

• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

Report: Monarch Egg Sighted and/or Monarch Larva Sighted

• What: Is breeding happening? Report the presence of monarch egg(s).

• Frequency: Report once a week when monarch eggs are present. It is difficult to track individual eggs and larvae. Daily counts of eggs and larvae are not necessary. Noting the presence of monarch egg(s) is sufficient. If you want to count monarch egg(s), please count once during the week, and submit one report with the totals counted that day. Occasional reporting is welcome.

• Comments: If known, please report the species of milkweed you observed the egg(s) and/or larvae on.

• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

Report: Monarch Other Observations

• What: Observations of interesting behaviors including mating, laying eggs, nectaring (please let us know flowering plant species if known), basking in the sun, chrysalis, and deceased monarchs.

• Frequency: Report once a week. Occasional reporting is welcome.

• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

Report: Milkweed Sighted

• What: Where are milkweed plants? Report milkweed presence across the landscape.

• Comments: If known, please report (1) the species milkweed, (2) the height of the emergent plant (emergent: 2-5 inches; leaves present: 5 inches; a few flowers present with budding just starting; fruiting with pods present; leaves yellowing). Also, please let us know the size of the milkweed patch (few – 1-15 stems; denser patch – 15-50 stems; abundant patch – 50-100 stems; very abundant – 100+ stems). Frequency: Report once a week. Occasional reporting is welcome.

• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.