Get Print Out Tagging Data Sheets For Monarch Watch

“Tagging helps answer questions about the origins of monarchs that reach Mexico, the timing and pace of the migration, mortality during the migration, and changes in geographic distribution.

You will want to begin tagging monarchs that emerge 2-3 weeks before the peak. Tagging monarchs that emerge a month or more before the peak is too early! The chart on this page describes the midpoints and peaks of the migration by latitude. How many tags come in an order?

“Tagging” a monarch involves catching the butterfly in a net, carefully handling it following specific instructions, placing a small identification sticker on the wing and then releasing the butterfly back into the wild. A spreadsheet is used to keep track of information like location and date.

MONARCH WATCH TAGGING METHOD The tag is placed over the large, mitten shaped cell (discal cell) on the underside of the hindwing of the monarch. This tagging method places the tag close to the center of lift and gravity for the butterfly so as to not interfere with flight or otherwise harm the butterfly.

Just before the monarchs depart, however, sanctuary volunteers sweep them up with nets and affix tiny identification stickers to their wings to help track whether they survive the marathon journey. Tagging monarchs is a delicate task, but the data it generates are sorely needed.

Volunteer community scientists record the date, location, monarch gender, and unique tag number for each fall-migrating monarch that they tag and then submit these data to be used in research.

Butterfly tags are tiny stickers attached to the underside of one of the hind wings. Each tag will have a unique code. These codes will help track the origins of the tagged butterflies if they are recaptured.

MONARCH WATCH TAGGING METHOD The tag is placed over the large, mitten shaped cell (discal cell) on the underside of the hindwing of the monarch. This tagging method places the tag close to the center of lift and gravity for the butterfly so as to not interfere with flight or otherwise harm the butterfly.