The collaborative project deploys 60-milligram transmitters attached to large, healthy butterflies to document precise daily distances and stopover locations during their journey to central Mexican oyamel fir forests. Signals are detected through specialized receivers and smartphones equipped with a free public application. Early findings have uncovered surprising route overlaps, such as monarchs originating in Utah linking with eastern groups and insects crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers are now prioritizing data collection in the Texas funnel migration corridor.
Key points
Signals emitted by the solar-powered tags can be recorded by receivers alongside smartpho…: Signals emitted by the solar-powered tags can be recorded by receivers alongside smartphones running a free mobile app.
Early tracking data revealed butterflies traveling from Utah to join eastern populations…: Early tracking data revealed butterflies traveling from Utah to join eastern populations as well as flights over the Gulf of Mexico.
Research teams are specifically directing future tracking efforts toward the critical Tex…: Research teams are specifically directing future tracking efforts toward the critical Texas funnel migration corridor east of the Rockies.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
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