TAGGING NEW ZEALAND MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
1. Using the tip of a toothpick gently remove the tag from the backing sheet. Do not touch the adhesive side as the oils on your skin could affect the longevity of the glue. Put the toothpick with the tag on it to one side.
2. Let the butterfly walk onto your finger by putting your finger right in front of the butterfly’s head. Or hold all four wings together (with a scissor grip) and then place one finger from the other hand underneath the body of the butterfly using just enough pressure to encourage it to let go of what it is holding onto.
3. Using that scissor grip you should be able to hold all four wings at once between your two fingers, close to the butterfly’s body so that you can see most of the wings.
2. Let the butterfly walk onto your finger by putting your finger right in front of the butterfly’s head. Or hold all four wings together (with a scissor grip) and then place one finger from the other hand underneath the body of the butterfly using just enough pressure to encourage it to let go of what it is holding onto.
3. Using that scissor grip you should be able to hold all four wings at once between your two fingers, close to the butterfly’s body so that you can see most of the wings.
4. Place the tag on the central discal cell of one of the hind wings (the discal cell is the shape of a stretched mitten – coloured blue in the picture). The tag should be visible when the wing is closed. Placement is shown by the pink circle. Either hindwing can be used.
5. Roll the toothpick out of the way and press the tag gently in place with your thumb for a few seconds to ensure that it’s firmly stuck.
6. Once you have tagged and released a butterfly you will then need to record the details online at www.monarch.org.nz
See more at: www.monarch.org.nz
5. Roll the toothpick out of the way and press the tag gently in place with your thumb for a few seconds to ensure that it’s firmly stuck.
6. Once you have tagged and released a butterfly you will then need to record the details online at www.monarch.org.nz
See more at: www.monarch.org.nz
How do you get tags?
First you need to register on the Moths & Butterflies NZ Trust website (it's free) and set yourself up with a user name and password.
Once you have registered you can request tags (after February each year). Login to the Moths & Butterflies NZ Trust website and select ‘Dashboard’ on the home page.
Under the ‘Research’ tab, select ‘Request Tags’.
If you are new to tagging and want to practise first, you can also order practise tags and paper butterflies. These are free.
When can you order tags?
Each year there is a new series of tags and these can be ordered from February onwards. Tagging begins on 1 March so we can tag the last generation of Monarchs for the season, and continue tagging until the last butterfly emerges.
We do not tag all year round. Monarchs that we tag after 1 March in any given year are likely to overwinter. We hope to be able to find them returning to gardens in the spring – or at their overwintering site.
Butterflies that emerge during the spring and summer are likely to reproduce and continue the species.
REF: www.monarch.org.nz
First you need to register on the Moths & Butterflies NZ Trust website (it's free) and set yourself up with a user name and password.
Once you have registered you can request tags (after February each year). Login to the Moths & Butterflies NZ Trust website and select ‘Dashboard’ on the home page.
Under the ‘Research’ tab, select ‘Request Tags’.
If you are new to tagging and want to practise first, you can also order practise tags and paper butterflies. These are free.
When can you order tags?
Each year there is a new series of tags and these can be ordered from February onwards. Tagging begins on 1 March so we can tag the last generation of Monarchs for the season, and continue tagging until the last butterfly emerges.
We do not tag all year round. Monarchs that we tag after 1 March in any given year are likely to overwinter. We hope to be able to find them returning to gardens in the spring – or at their overwintering site.
Butterflies that emerge during the spring and summer are likely to reproduce and continue the species.
REF: www.monarch.org.nz