ROCKPORT — Locals — the older ones — having been chewing the fat recently, some at the fire station, remarking on the lack of Monarch butterflies visiting the Midcoast this year. Younger generations, back in school, are wondering the same: How come the distinctive black and yellow/orange butterflies have not been feasting on the milkweed in the yards. 

Usually, the monarchs have been around by now. On Sept. 6, three West Rockport children were in the backyard, combing milkweed for caterpillars and chrysalides. Milkweed is fundamental habitat for the monarchs, but the Fords found nothing.

According to Monarch Watch, an organization devoted to the butterflies, the migration of the Monarchs southward started in mid-August.

On Sept. 2, Dr. Chip Taylor, who studies the Monarchs, wrote: “The leading edge should be in southern MN at this time and in Ames, IA around the 6th of Sept. Fall roosts have been reported to Journey North in the Dakotas, MN, WI, MI and NY as of 28 August. No roosts had been recorded by the 29th of August last year (see Monarch Roosts Fall 2013 and Monarch Roosts Fall 2014). There will surely be more monarchs to tag over the next two months and the overwintering population in Mexico is certain to be larger.”

He cautions, however: "Unless we collectively address the annual loss of habitat with a significant recovery plan that restores at least 1-1.5 million acres of milkweed/monarch habitat per year – the eastern monarch migration will dwindle further to the point where it will be truly threatened."

The Monarchs, which migrate from Mexico to Canada, and back south again, are tracked at Journey North.

Monarchs are amazing creatures. They have four distinct generations, according to the site MonarchButterflyUSA.

“Most monarchs live from two to six weeks as an adult butterfly, but the Monarch's migration is the key to its yearly life cycle. 

“The total time frame for one butterfly's life cycle (one generation) is about 6-8 weeks — egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly. It grows inside the egg for about 4 days. It then munches milkweed and grows as a monarch caterpillar (larvae) for about 2 more weeks. The caterpillar's life inside the chrysalis (pupa) lasts about 10 days and its wonderful life as an adult butterfly lasts from 2 - 6 weeks.

“March/April -the 1st generation monarchs are born -egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, adult butterfly; 

“May/June - the 2nd generation is born - egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, adult butterfly; 

“July/August - the 3rd generation is born - egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, adult butterfly; 

“Sept/Oct - the 4th generation is born - egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, adult butterfly. But this generation does not die. It migrates south and lives six to eight months in Mexico or Southern California. They begin awakening and mating in February/March of the next spring, and then lay their eggs. Withered and tattered from their migration and hibernation, they finally die.”

In the spring, the Monarchs leave Mexican roosts, fly north and look for milkweed on which to lay eggs.

“These Monarchs have already survived a long southward flight in the fall and winter's cold; they have escaped predatory birds and other hazards along the way, and are the only Monarchs left that can produce a new generation. If they return too early, before the milkweed is up in the spring, they will not be able to lay their eggs and continue the cycle,” according to Monarch Watch.

Keep your eyes peeled for Monarchs, and let Journey North know when you see them.

This reporter saw one on Saturday, Sept. 6, flutter along the road at Beauchamp Point in Rockport. Maybe there will be more, soon.

Judie Webster said she has seen one at the Camden Public Library on the Verbena Bonariensis, and had one in her yard on a Joe Pye Weed.

“Used to have many more,” she said.

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657