Nature NB has introduced a groundbreaking method to track monarch butterflies in New Brunswick this year, moving away from relying on chance encounters to a more precise approach. Partnering with various organizations, they have deployed Bluetooth-enabled tags, called BluMorpho tags, on the monarchs for the first time in the region.
These tiny tags, weighing only 0.066 grams and solar-powered, are attached to the butterflies’ thorax with a dab of eyelash glue and feature a small antenna along the abdomen. Unlike traditional wing tags, the BluMorpho tags utilize passive Bluetooth interactions, allowing anyone with Bluetooth enabled on their phone to automatically log data when within 100 meters of a tagged monarch.
Project coordinator Francie Morgan expressed enthusiasm about this new development, highlighting its significance in the monarch conservation realm in the Maritimes. Jim Wilson, a seasoned birder and naturalist, emphasized the shift from the old method of relying on physical recapture to the current online tracking system, where individuals can easily follow the monarchs’ journeys.
While delays at the border have impacted tag deployment this season, Nature NB aims to release a total of 22 tags, with the possibility of more pending clearance. Early data from the tags has already provided valuable insights into monarch migration patterns in New Brunswick, confirming Point Lepreau as a crucial stopover point before the butterflies head towards Grand Manan.
Unexpected results from this season, such as monarchs ending up in Nova Scotia due to strong westerly winds, offer researchers new perspectives on migration decisions influenced by weather conditions. Tracking individual migration routes could help identify key natural corridors that monarchs rely on, aiding conservation efforts to protect these vital areas.
To follow the tagged monarchs’ journeys, individuals can download the Project Monarch app, with tags in New Brunswick starting with the prefix PLBO. By the season’s end, Nature NB anticipates having tagged 22 monarchs in the province using this innovative technology.