Monarch Butterfly Migration Update: September 26, 2003
Today’s Update Includes:
Highlights From the Migration Trail
Migration reports arrived this week from points across the monarch's range. Migrating monarchs are now traveling across the land, from Canada all the way into Mexico. As monarchs continue to come down from the north, they'll funnel through Texas and beyond. We're still waiting for the first big push into Texas which should occur next week.
Bienvenidas a Mexico!
Las primeras monarcas han cruzado la frontera
The first monarchs have crossed the border into Mexico! If you can't read Spanish, it's time to find a friend who can. The news arrived from Senora Rocio Trevino, founder of "Correo Real" (Royal Mail), a school-based program that tracks the migration in Mexico.
Watching and Waiting at the Mexican Sanctuaries
German Medina, who coordinates the Symbolic Migration there, is sending their weekly reports by FAX. This week came a big surprise: Three butterflies have now been spotted, by students who live high in the mountains near the Sierra Chincua sanctuary. Now what do you make of that? Do you think this is possible? The first migrants are said to arrive in mid-October. Discuss this with your class. Next week we'll share Dr. Bill Calvert's thoughts for you to compare with your own.
Discussion of Challenge Question #4
According to research by Dr. David Gibo, a monarch could either soar for over 1,000 hours or flap for only 44 using the same 140 mg of fat. Challenge Question #4 asked, "How many times more energy is burned during flapping flight than during soaring/gliding flight?"
Simple math reveals that more than 22 times more energy is needed to flap than to glide. Let’s take a closer look at flapping flight and see why it burns so much energy.
Flapping Flight: A Look at Flight in Slow Motion
Here’s a video clip of monarch flight in slow motion. The action is slowed down 50 times, to only 2% normal speed. In other words, each moment lasts fifty times longer than it did in reality. This means that the half second of monarch flight recorded here is stretched out to last 25 seconds.
During “powered” or “flapping” flight, monarchs flap their wings about 5 to 12 times a second, depending on how hard they’re trying to move. They flap at the slower rate when flying leisurely, such as during migration. The faster rate is needed when flying into a strong headwind, or when trying to escape from a predator, for example.
Video Clips and the Scientific Process
Observation is the first step in the scientific process. Video clips provide an opportunity for students to make authentic scientific observations. Here are some suggestions for viewing video clips as a scientist:
Migration is Not for Babies
Discussion of Challenge Question #6
When people reported baby monarchs migrating last week, we knew there was a problem. So did Kentucky students Alante and Jacob in Mrs. McKinley's class, and they can explain why:
Reminder: Symbolic Migration Deadline--October 14
Only 18 more butterfly-making days before the Symbolic Migration deadline. Don't be late! Butterflies received after the postmarked deadline cannot migrate. (See Details)
to Respond to Today's Challenge Question
The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on October 3, 2003.
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