Studying Monarchs In Coastal Florida

Abstract:

Monarch Butterflies in our coastal town of Pensacola FL has a unique story of migration, pollution and beauty. But we are hearing that the population is decreasing. It could be storm water run off, migration patterns, and Ophryocystis Elektroscirrha or OE. OE is a parasite that causes weakness, disfiguration, and death. It is carried in adult butterflies, and is transfered from touching each other. Do they need more food or/and water? We have a local garden that host Monarchs. Our observations will help scientist locally, regionally, and globally gain data to help and protect the monarch butterfly. What happens if we catch and identify a butterfly with OE, should it be sacrificed to save the population?