Post by trehopr1 on Nov 2, 2018 7:37:45 GMT
The Monarch butterfly is easily the most recognizable butterfly of North America. There has been much that has been written about this most ubiquitous of butterflies. It is probably best known for it's extensive migratory travels; however this very hardy traveler has also quite an extensive range (of having been found) outside of the U.S. and Mexico. It is a rare but, occasional visitor of Britain as well as some European countries including Portugal, Spain, and possibly France. It is found in Hawaii and has been recorded in Australia and New Zealand as well. A strong flier? No doubt. A little help from big storms or strong upper air currents -- probably. Maybe even a "hitch-hiked" ride upon a passenger ship. Quite possible. Needless to say it has gotten around.
Since at least the 1950's articles in newspapers, magazines, books, and even published research concerning it have been produced. Much of it has usually expounded upon the its migration, life history, or more recently it's "well being" as a species (as related to various environmental concerns). Now, while it would be easy and pointless to re-hash what has already been said and written about; I wish to moreover discuss this magnificent species in it's pure and subtly varied form.
Most people who are familiar with the Monarch would likely be quick to say "Oh, it's that large orange and black butterfly" that does the migration. And while that may be summarily correct in the general sense; many of those casual observers would likely be astonished at the many subtle variations (of dress) this butterfly comes in.
Below, is a photograph taken of some specimens which I recently collected in September and October.
I have lettered each to indicate some of the re-occurring variation which I have noticed across many specimens observed as well as collected.
These are not all that one may encounter; so other variations will be mentioned as well (which I have seen in other's collections).
A.) This is what I call a "typical" color form male. These appear as reddish-orange (overall) in general appearance. Among males this color form accounts for roughly 60% of males encountered -- by my estimate.
B.) This is what I call the "Vitamin C" color form male. These are of a much brighter, lighter orange color (overall) and often have fairly reduced white spotting of the wing margins.
These "bright" fellows are encountered considerably less often and roughly account for perhaps 25% of sightings.
C.) This male represents what I would call the "oddfellows" or the "one off's". In this case, he is fairly well "darker" in the tone of his orange color. Some males I've seen (in other collections) are almost a
"brownish-orange" in appearance. The white spotting of the wing margins is still there however, males like these can and do show instances of very heavily "blackened" wing veins.
D.) This is a "typical" color form female. They appear as a medium tone "dirty-orange" color overall. Equally as large as any males. Some may have heavily "blackened" wing veins.
E.) This fair lady is a brighter and lighter form (which like the light form males); is generally encountered less often.
F.) The Monarch "mini". Yes, undersized perfectly formed Monarch butterflies exist as both males and females. I have seen others in collections smaller than the one shown. These are generally the result
of a poor food source or competition over the same food source.
And now, the categories I don't have but, are ones that exist....
G.) Gynandromorphs; They do exist from time to time and a few surely exist in collections.
H.) Asymmetrical specimens; These too exist in Nature and they appear naturally on rare occasions. Here, one wing or more will be undersized while the others are of normal size.
These usually don't fly very well but, they can still get where they need to go. And they can still elude a exasperated collector!
I.) "White Monarch". There exists a rarely encountered variation of the Monarch which "pales" in comparison to our typical colorful beauty. A white Monarch, named "nivosus" by Lepidopterists, is grayish white
in all areas of the wings that are normally orange (Vane-Wright 1993). Several authors (Stimson and Meyers,1984; Vane-Wright 1993)have assumed that the white form results from the inability of the butterfly
to synthesize the normal orange pigment, but this hypothesis has never been tested.
Only a few are reported each year in the U.S. However, they have also been found in Australia (1980), New Zealand/North Island (1985), and Indonesia (Ambon and Seram) (1906-1916).
Surprisingly, Hawaii has reported a frequency rate of nearly 10% in certain past years...
So, as you can see there really is a lot more to the Monarch butterfly than may casually meet the eye. Its many splendored subtle variations should give all onlookers a bit "more pause" in their observance of that vividly colored dress.
Since at least the 1950's articles in newspapers, magazines, books, and even published research concerning it have been produced. Much of it has usually expounded upon the its migration, life history, or more recently it's "well being" as a species (as related to various environmental concerns). Now, while it would be easy and pointless to re-hash what has already been said and written about; I wish to moreover discuss this magnificent species in it's pure and subtly varied form.
Most people who are familiar with the Monarch would likely be quick to say "Oh, it's that large orange and black butterfly" that does the migration. And while that may be summarily correct in the general sense; many of those casual observers would likely be astonished at the many subtle variations (of dress) this butterfly comes in.
Below, is a photograph taken of some specimens which I recently collected in September and October.
I have lettered each to indicate some of the re-occurring variation which I have noticed across many specimens observed as well as collected.
These are not all that one may encounter; so other variations will be mentioned as well (which I have seen in other's collections).
A.) This is what I call a "typical" color form male. These appear as reddish-orange (overall) in general appearance. Among males this color form accounts for roughly 60% of males encountered -- by my estimate.
B.) This is what I call the "Vitamin C" color form male. These are of a much brighter, lighter orange color (overall) and often have fairly reduced white spotting of the wing margins.
These "bright" fellows are encountered considerably less often and roughly account for perhaps 25% of sightings.
C.) This male represents what I would call the "oddfellows" or the "one off's". In this case, he is fairly well "darker" in the tone of his orange color. Some males I've seen (in other collections) are almost a
"brownish-orange" in appearance. The white spotting of the wing margins is still there however, males like these can and do show instances of very heavily "blackened" wing veins.
D.) This is a "typical" color form female. They appear as a medium tone "dirty-orange" color overall. Equally as large as any males. Some may have heavily "blackened" wing veins.
E.) This fair lady is a brighter and lighter form (which like the light form males); is generally encountered less often.
F.) The Monarch "mini". Yes, undersized perfectly formed Monarch butterflies exist as both males and females. I have seen others in collections smaller than the one shown. These are generally the result
of a poor food source or competition over the same food source.
And now, the categories I don't have but, are ones that exist....
G.) Gynandromorphs; They do exist from time to time and a few surely exist in collections.
H.) Asymmetrical specimens; These too exist in Nature and they appear naturally on rare occasions. Here, one wing or more will be undersized while the others are of normal size.
These usually don't fly very well but, they can still get where they need to go. And they can still elude a exasperated collector!
I.) "White Monarch". There exists a rarely encountered variation of the Monarch which "pales" in comparison to our typical colorful beauty. A white Monarch, named "nivosus" by Lepidopterists, is grayish white
in all areas of the wings that are normally orange (Vane-Wright 1993). Several authors (Stimson and Meyers,1984; Vane-Wright 1993)have assumed that the white form results from the inability of the butterfly
to synthesize the normal orange pigment, but this hypothesis has never been tested.
Only a few are reported each year in the U.S. However, they have also been found in Australia (1980), New Zealand/North Island (1985), and Indonesia (Ambon and Seram) (1906-1916).
Surprisingly, Hawaii has reported a frequency rate of nearly 10% in certain past years...
So, as you can see there really is a lot more to the Monarch butterfly than may casually meet the eye. Its many splendored subtle variations should give all onlookers a bit "more pause" in their observance of that vividly colored dress.
