Ames, Iowa—As thousands of monarch butterflies make their journey south to Mexico this fall, researchers with the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium (IMCC) are calling on Iowa landowners to help document this remarkable migration. Each fall, monarchs funnel through Iowa, using trees and sheltered areas to rest in clusters before continuing their trip.
“We are seeking reports from landowners if they have monarchs roosting on their property — or from community members if they observe roosting monarchs on public lands,” said Katherine Kral-O’Brien, with the IMCC. “Identifying these roosting locations provides critical data on migration pathways and helps scientists and conservationists protect and restore key habitats.”
How to identify a monarch roost
- Dozens to hundreds of monarchs clustered on tree branches
- Most often found in sheltered areas, near the edge of woodlands, windbreaks or river corridors
- Roosting typically occurs in the evening and early morning
Monarch roosts can be reported using the IMCC’s online form or by contacting Kral-O’Brien at 515-294-7315 or kralob@iastate.edu. Photos and location details are greatly appreciated. All reported data will remain anonymous. Roost sites can also be reported with Journey North to assist researchers and conservationists from around the country.
Why it matters
Monarch populations have declined significantly in recent decades due to multiple factors including habitat loss and extreme weather. Iowa is a crucial location in their migration corridor. By documenting roosting sites, landowners are directly contributing to the science that guides conservation strategies at home and across the continent.
About the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium
The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium (IMCC) is comprised of members and partners from over 50 organizations, including agricultural and conservation associations, agribusiness and utility companies, universities, and state and federal agencies. To learn more about the IMCC and the resources it provides, visit https://monarch.ent.iastate.edu/ and follow @IowaMonarchs on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
Monarch roosting site in southwest Iowa. Photo courtesy of the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium.
(contributed press release, ISUCAL)
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