Our tagging programme was established to determine any migration patterns within the NZ monarch population. Based on the analysed data in 2021 as there appeared to be no pattern of migration or any common destination, the project ceased. Most recoveries were made within the general area in which they were released.
However, the program is being revived in 2025.
History
Tagging of monarchs in NZ began soon after the formation of the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust in 2005-06 as a trial. From 2007 widespread tagging took place for thirteen years.
Anecdotal records, plus the tagging data, indicated that most monarchs overwintered in the area around where they eclosed.
Overwintering
Reports of overwintering sites around NZ are at present sketchy. Dr Stephen Pawson and Dr Lisa Berndt researched monarchs overwintering in Christchurch in the early 2000's. You can see their report here. The information was utilised by the Christchurch City Council to create a map showing major overwintering locations but since the earthquake in 2011 many of these overwintering locations have altered.
Future Plans
As well as reinstating tagging as a project, we hope to clearly identify overwintering sites (some are already known) and encourage volunteers living in the vicinity to monitor the populations. It is assumed that these populations go into diapause.
A methodology could be put in place to enable population counts to be undertaken, observations made of flight patterns on warm, sunny winter days and any evidence of mating behaviour. This could be backed up with monitoring of swan plants for evidence of eggs and establishing whether they are fertile.
How it works
Each tag has a discrete “code number” prefixed by two or three letters which related to a particular year (e.g. T series = 2020) The tags link to a short form of our website, www.mb.org.nz.
When participants order tags, their postal details are recorded on the tagging database online. Several hours after butterflies eclose (or emerge from the chrysalis) and when they are ready to fly, a tag is very gently attached to their hindwing. See the video here.
Then when the tagged butterfly is released, other information such as the weather, time of day etc is recorded on our website.
When a tagged butterfly is recovered, the person goes to www.mb.org.nz and enters the code from the tag along with the postal location of where it was recovered, a description of the site and other important information as to weather etc. After they have finished entering the data details regarding the journey of the butterfly can be sent to the tagger and the reporter. This information is also recorded in a database, which is available for scientists and schools etc to use.
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Click here for information about tagged monarchs in Australia: Australia.