Where do butterflies go in winter? (2 min read)
Over-wintering monarchs in Ōamaru - and how you can help
Good afternoon☀
Isn’t it wonderful to see the days getting longer? I am enjoying some beautiful sunrises in the mornings, and making the most of the evening light. It is very much still winter though, with heavy rain and cool temperatures in the forecast this week.
Last week I had to visit Ōamaru so I took the opportunity to spend time with the kahuku/monarch butterflies at the public gardens. These pūrerehua (butterflies) overwinter as adults in a state of semi-hibernation, hanging out in clusters in big evergreen trees, but drift down to nectar when sun comes out.
There’s a large conifer at the gardens, not far from the historic Japanese red bridge, where I have seen these kahuku before, so I headed straight there. I was delighted to see some nestled amongst the needles, and when I returned in the afternoon I saw some nectaring, too.
In The Monarch Butterfly in New Zealand1, entomologist Dr George Gibbs explains that kahuku thrive in warmer weather, and look for places where the average temperature remains above about 10℃ to safely rest through winter.
“Favoured overwintering sites are sheltered from the wind, have a source of nectar nearby, and include trees with suitable foliage for roosting. As in America, their trees of choice are cedars (e.g. macrocarpa) and pines, which have narrow, slightly serrated leaves.” - George Gibbs
The Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust (MBNZT) are trying to get a picture of the monarch butterfly overwintering patterns. So, if you see any around please take a photograph and upload them to the NZ monarch butterfly overwintering sites project on iNaturalist - or send them straight to MBNZT at trust@nzbutterflies.org.nz with location details.
Zenobia🦋
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Gibbs, G. (2013) The Monarch Butterfly in New Zealand. Entomological Society of New Zealand.