 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Fuel for a Far-fetched Flight

   October 15, 2020

    Monarch female on blue aster

   Photographer:  Rob Sheridan
   Summary Author:  Rob Sheridan

   The multigenerational  migration of the monarch remains one of the
   most wonderful and astounding mysteries of the insect world. During any
   given year, the first generation of late spring emerges from their
    chrysalis in central Mexico and flutters north. No single
   generation can do the long northerly migration, but generation by
   generation they  progressively head north, feeding and laying
    eggs on  milkweeds, each adult living only about 6 weeks, for 4
   or 5 generations. In the late summer, the season’s final generation is
   born and begins the long flight home to warmer overwintering areas.
   This final migratory generation lives far longer than prior generations
   (up to 6 months) and completes the entire flight home from the northern
   range. Many fall to  predators and lack of fuel. Certain specific
    late-season flowering plants feed them along their arduous journey.
   Prominent among these in the northeast United States is the  New
   England blue aster ( Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), a late summer
   and fall bloomer rich with  nectar, favored by the final generation
   of monarch-athletes. Shown here is one such migratory generation
   monarch fueling up on a blue aster, preparing to continue the long
   journey home.

   Photo Details: Camera Apple iPhone 8; Software Windows Photo Editor
   10.0.1; Exposure Time 0.0007s (1/1412); Aperture ƒ/1.8; ISO equivalent
   20; Focal Length (35mm) 28
     * Squantum, Massachusetts Coordinates:  42.300931, -71.010375

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    More...

Animal Links

     *  Animal Diversity Web
     *  ARKive
     *  BirdLife International
     *  Bug Guide
     *  Discover Life
     *  Integrated Taxonomic Information System
     *  Microbial Life Resources
       Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the
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        Universities Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
