Book Description
The knowledge of citizen scientists, biologists, and naturalists informs this book's coverage of every aspect of the monarch butterfly's life cycle (breeding, migration, and overwintering) from the perspective of every established monarch population (western North American, eastern North American, and Australian). In addition to presenting the most recent basic research on this species, The Monarch Butterfly contains the first publication of data compiled from two established citizen science projects, Journey North and the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project. It also reports for the first time on two major events of long-term importance to monarch conservation and biology: the creation of a larger protected area in the Mexican overwintering sites and a weather-related mortality event during the winter of 2002. Monarch butterflies are arguably the most recognized, studied, and loved of all insects, and the attention that scientists and the general public have paid to this species has increased both our understanding of the natural world and our concern about preserving it. The unique combination of basic research, background information, and conservation applications makes this book a valuable resource for ecologists, entomologists, naturalists, and teachers.
Back Cover copy
"The world's best known and perhaps best studied butterfly species still holds some fascinating secrets. This delicate international treasure critically needs protection and the continued vigilance of professional researchers and members of the public. This book describes pressing issues regarding the ecology and conservation of the Monarch butterfly; it is valuable for aesthetic, social, political, and scientific reasons."--J. Mark Scriber, Professor of Entomology, Michigan State University, and author/editor of Swallowtail Butterflies: Their Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
"This book succeeds not only in updating the current state of our knowledge about Monarchs and their fantastic migration, but also in showing how studies of Monarchs contribute to larger issues in contemporary biology, and how citizen scientists can be engaged in the process of scientific discovery. The commitment and hard work of these citizen scientists and the scientists who coach them makes clear the Monarch is the People's butterfly!"--Ron Rutowski, butterfly behavioral ecologist, Arizona State University
"This accessible and highly current summary of monarch butterfly reproduction, migration, over-wintering, and conservation biology should be of interest to scientists, naturalists, and anyone who is simply curious about this elegant insect. The short research papers comprising the book provide a rich mix of information, ranging from basic biology to topical conservation and management issues."--Carol L. Boggs, Stanford University, editor of Butterflies: Ecology and Evolution Taking Flight
