Butterfly Blog

Mar 31, Monarch Butterflies head North on their Spring journey.

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:51:21 GMT

The Monarch Butterflies are moving North following the Milkweed as it emerges from the earth. There have been sightings all over Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and even one spot in Missouri! The females are laying their eggs on the Milkweed and as these eggs eventually hatch they will move Northward following the Milkweed. As I watch the snow falling here in a Minnesota Spring snowstorm, this gives me hope that Spring is near!

Mar 26, Butterfly Lesson Plans

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:39:21 GMT

Butterfly Lesson Plans - Free Lesson Plans for Elementary Science Unit: "Life Cycle of a Butterfly", Lesson 4 - Butterfly.

Mar 26, Elementary Science Lesson Plans

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:37:59 GMT

Elementary Science Lesson Plans - Free Lesson Plans for Science Unit: "Life Cycle of a Butterfly", Lesson 3 - Chrysalis.

Mar 26, Teacher Lesson Plans

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:37:20 GMT

Teacher Lesson Plans - Free Lesson Plans for Elementary Science Unit: "Life Cycle of a Butterfly", Lesson 2 - Caterpillar.

Mar 26, Science Lesson Plans

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:35:06 GMT

Science Lesson Plans - Free Lesson Plans for Elementary Science Unit: "Life Cycle of a Butterfly", Lesson 1 - Egg.

Mar 26, Elementary Lesson Plans

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:21:41 GMT

Elementary Lesson Plans - Free Lesson Plans for a Science Unit on the Butterfly Stages of the Monarch Butterfly life Cycle.

Mar 23, Tropical Milkweed - New Method for Starting Seeds

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:45:23 GMT

I am trying a new method for starting Tropical Milkweed seeds this year. It seems to speed up the process of germination by quite a bit. Check out the link to find out the how-to details....

Mar 2, Spring Monarch Migration Update

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:46:03 GMT

The Monarchs at the overwintering sites in Central Mexico are showing signs of preparation for the Spring Monarch Migration. They have started to move down the mountain in search of moisture as the temperature climbs. Also, the second sign of preparation is that mating has begun in the Monarch population. March is "migration month", so I will keep you updated on this exciting event.

Feb 23, School Bulletin Board Ideas

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:53:20 GMT

School Bulletin Board Ideas - Butterfly Bulletin Boards for Elementary and Kindergarten Science Projects.

Jan 16, Science Project Ideas for Kindergarten

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:13:42 GMT

Science Project Ideas - Science Activities for kindergarten with Monarch Butterfly Theme

Jan 16, Raising Monarch Butterflies - Easy Step by Step Instructions

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:12:52 GMT

Observe the miraculous transformation! Raising Monarch butterflies is easy.

Jan 12, Scientific Discovery of the HOW of the Monarch Butterfly Migration

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:21:19 GMT

Scientists have discovered that the Monarch Butterfly is guided on its annual migration by CRY2 (a cryptochrome protein) found only in the tiny cells of the brain of the butterfly and not any other insect or mammal. It functions as a critical neural pathway linking the "clock to the sun compass"....both necessary for successful orientation and navigation. Isn't it amazing that scientists can actually study the Monarch brain!! Let alone figure out the HOW of migration from its studies. WOW!

Dec 13, Toddler Bedding Butterfly

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:59:43 GMT

Toddler Bedding Butterfly - If your kids love butterflies, they will love these various butterfly bedding sets and items.

Dec 10, Police raids at sawmills in Mexican overwintering Oyamel Forest

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:31:32 GMT

The biggest anti-logging raid in Mexican history, took place at the Monarch Butterfly Migration overwintering sites in Central Mexico on December 5. About 600 heavy truckloads of wood (equivalent to 6,600 tons or about 1,750 adult trees) was seized from the Oyamel Forest where the Eastern Monarch butterflies overwinter. About 700 police and officials were involved in the raids of 19 saw mills and 56 sawmill employees, lumberjacks and truck drivers were detained. Hopefully there will be charges...uncommon in the past when wood would be seized and sawmills dismantled.

Dec 7, Christian Butterfly

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:16:28 GMT

Christian Butterfly Symbolism - Butterfly life cycle......journey through life to death and resurrection.

Dec 6, Butterfly Tiffany Lamp

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:23:24 GMT

This Butterfly Tiffany Lamp auction has a beautiful selection of table lamps and accent lamps in the tiffany style.

Dec 5, Tropical Milkweed - Monarch Butterfly Favorite Food

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:34:18 GMT

Monarch favorite is Tropical Milkweed - Asclepias curassavica

Dec 5, Buy Milkweed Seeds

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:13:10 GMT

Buy Milkweed Seeds on auction including Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias Curassavica, and Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias Incarnata.

Dec 5, Butterfly Garden Decor

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:21:44 GMT

This Butterfly Garden Decor auction is for those who love butterflies and love gardening.

Dec 5, Purple Butterfly Bedding

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:47:27 GMT

This Purple Butterfly Bedding auction is perfect for anyone who loves purple and/or butterflies.

Dec 5, Bedding Butterfly Nursery

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:42:20 GMT

This Bedding Butterfly Nursery auction includes cute crib sets, bumper pads, crib sheets and other baby butterfly bedding accessories.

Nov 29, Mexican Government to invest in protecting Monarch Butterfly overwintering biosphere.

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:02:18 GMT

The Mexican Government has decided to spend over $4 million to protect the exclusive area where the Eastern Monarch Butterfly of North America overwinters. The money will go toward equipment and advertising. They hope to encourage tourism to the area in order to support the impoverished economy The area is already patrolled for illegal logging by park rangers with $36 million the government already spends on the Monarch Butterfly Reserve.

Nov 28, Butterfly Books

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:11:00 GMT

This Butterfly Books auction includes Butterfly Garden Book, Children's Butterflly Books and Butterfly Coloring Books.

Nov 27, Butterfly Shop

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:27:38 GMT

Butterfly Shop - Find butterfly jewelry, butterfly gifts, butterfly crafts, plus interesting and unique items with a butterfly theme.

Nov 27, Butterfly Cowboy Boots

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:57:10 GMT

Butterfly Cowboy Boots - beautiful and unique boots for yourself or a gift for someone special.

Nov 27, Butterfly Bead Necklace Kit

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:31:07 GMT

This Butterfly Bead Necklace Kit auction includes Swarovski crystal, silver, mixed cloisonne, and polymer clay butterfly beads for all your jewelry craft projects.

Nov 25, Crochet Butterfly Pattern

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:28:38 GMT

This Crochet Butterfly Pattern auction has creative ideas for butterfly crochet projects such as afghan, doily, pillows and more.

Nov 21, Butterfly Perfume

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:19:20 GMT

This Butterfly Perfume Bottle auction has a beautiful selection including glass, crystal and more.

Nov 21, Swarovski Butterfly

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:54:46 GMT

This extensive Swarovski Butterfly Auction includes jewelry - such as necklace, earrings, hair ornaments - plus collectibles and more.

Nov 21, Vintage Butterfly Jewelry

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:13:05 GMT

Vintage Butterfly Jewelry auction includes unusual and unique brooch, pin, earrings and more.

Nov 21, Butterfly Bedding

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:43:30 GMT

This Butterfly Bedding auction includes girls with canopy, bed in a bag, pillows and more.

Nov 21, Butterfly Jewelry Wedding

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:06:59 GMT

These Butterfly Jewelry Wedding items on auction include necklace, earrings, sets, tiara, hair clips and more.

Nov 20, Diamond Butterfly Necklace

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:58:42 GMT

This Diamond Butterfly Necklace auction includes both gold and white gold diamon butterfly jewelry.

Nov 20, Butterfly Cross Stitch

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:47:26 GMT

This Butterfly Cross Stitch auction is a great source for cross stitch kits and patterns.

Nov 20, Butterfly Craft

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:55:54 GMT

Excellent Butterfly Crafts auction includes scrapbooking, rubber stamping, embroidery, bead art, and many more butterfly craft ideas.

Nov 20, Butterfly Ornament

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:59:54 GMT

This Butterfly Ornament auction has Christmas Tree ornaments including vintage, Swarovski Crystal, glass, and Department 56.

Nov 19, Gold Butterfly Jewelry

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:25:28 GMT

This Gold Butterfly Jewelry auction has beautiful and unique items that are constantly being added.

Nov 19, Antique Butterfly Jewelry

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:35:10 GMT

This Antique Butterfly Jewelry auction has beautiful and unique items that are constantly being added.

Nov 10, Butterfly Host Plants - Caterpillar Food Attracts Butterflies

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:19:22 GMT

Butterfly Garden Needs Nectar Food and Butterfly Host Plants

Nov 9, New Video & Monarch Migration Update

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 02:32:23 GMT

I hope you enjoy the new video I put together of a Monarch Butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. I wanted to let you know that on October 30th the first Monarchs were seen flying over town of Angangueo (entrance to overwintering area) on there way to El Rosario (the largest overwintering site) in Central Mexico. October 31st the Monarchs were seen at Sierra Chincua, another overwintering site. Wow - what a journey they've had!

Oct 20, Oyamel Forest - Destination of the Mexican Monarch Migration

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:35:50 GMT

The Oyamel Forest in the Mountains of Central Mexico - overwintering sites of the Mexican Monarch Migration

Oct 12, Monarch Butterfly Migration

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 23:05:50 GMT

Texas is experiencing its first big masses of the migration. Monarch Butterflies headed for Mexico all have to funnel through Texas....it is the only state all Western migrating Monarchs must cross. There have been many sightings in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. None have been spotted at the overwintering sites in Central Mexico. It should be a couple more weeks before the Monarchs reach there.

Oct 11, Zinnia - Favorite Butterfly Nectar Flower

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:50:58 GMT

Growing zinnia is easy - Monarchs and Swallowtails love these nectar flowers.

Sep 29, Roost Sitings - Monarch Butterfly Migration

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 21:47:03 GMT

I will try and update the Fall Monarch Migration roosts as I research the news. As of this week, the roosts were sited as far South as Oklahoma, Northern Texas and North Carolina. There were also roosts reported in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. The Monarchs are on the move toward their winter home in the Central Mountains of Mexico. Check back for progress reports on the Southern Monarch Butterfly Migration

Sep 29, Peak Dates of Monarch Migration in Different Latitudes.

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 20:30:56 GMT

As a guideline to find out when the approximate peak dates for the Monarch Migration in your area, first find out your latitude. Type in without quotes.... latitude city, state ..... in the following box. There should be a link with your latitude. Here are the average peak dates for the following latitudes:

latitude 49 = August 18-30
latitude 47 = August 24-September 5
latitude 45 = August 29-September 10
latitude 43 = September 3-15
latitude 41 = September 8-20
latitude 39 = September 14-26
latitude 37 = September 19-October 1
latitude 35 - September 24-October 6
latitude 33 = September 29-October 11
latitude 31 = October 4-16
latitude 29 = October 10-22
latitude 27 = October 15-27
latitude 25 = October 20-November 1
latitude 23 = October 27-November 8
latitude 21 = November 3-15
latitude 19.4 (Mexican overwintering Monarchs) = November 10-22

For more information on the Monarch Migration click on the link below.

Sep 8, Tagging Monarch Butterflies

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 02:13:59 GMT

Join me as I experience tagging Monarch Butterflies for the first time. Step by step instructions PLUS tagging for Monarch Butterfly Migration pictures.

Sep 1, How to overwinter Black Swallowtail Chrysalis

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:19:23 GMT

Fall is quickly approaching! If you are raising Black Swallowtail Butterflies, the chrysalis will overwinter (go into diapause) instead of emerging in the cold weather. Click on link below to find out how to care for the overwintering chrysalis.

Sep 1, Black Swallowtail Chrysalis to Butterfly

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:11:30 GMT

Black Swallowtail chrysalis......observe the metamorphosis of caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.

Aug 25, Fall Preschool Ideas - Easy Science Project

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 03:12:25 GMT

Searching for fall preschool ideas?? Monarch Butterflies provide theme for an easy science project.

Aug 15, Types of Swallowtail Butterflies

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:23:26 GMT

Guide for most common types of Swallowtail Butterflies in U.S., Canada, and Norh America.