A novel technology has revolutionized the tracking of monarch butterflies in New Brunswick this year, eliminating the reliance on chance encounters to locate tagged butterflies. Nature NB, in collaboration with the Saint John Naturalist Club, Point Lepreau Bird Observatory, and Environment and Climate Change Canada, has introduced Bluetooth-enabled tags called BluMorpho tags on monarch butterflies for the first time.
The BluMorpho tags, weighing a mere 0.066 grams, are attached to the butterfly’s thorax using eyelash glue, featuring a small antenna along the abdomen. These tags operate through passive Bluetooth interactions, enabling anyone with Bluetooth on their phone within 100 meters of a tagged monarch to automatically log a data point.
This technological advancement marks a significant shift from the traditional method of relying on physical recapture of wing-tagged butterflies. With the BluMorpho tags, individuals can track the monarchs’ journey by downloading the Project Monarch app and scanning for the tags.
The initiative, which received support from the Environmental Trust Fund of New Brunswick and additional tags from the federal government, aims to deploy a total of 22 tags by the end of the season. Early data from the tagged monarchs has already provided valuable insights into migration routes, confirming Point Lepreau as a crucial stopover point before the monarchs continue their journey towards Grand Manan.
Furthermore, unexpected findings due to strong westerly winds this season led to monarchs ending up in Nova Scotia instead of continuing south, shedding light on how wind conditions influence migration decisions. Tracking individual migration routes could aid in identifying key natural corridors that monarchs rely on, allowing conservation efforts to prioritize the protection of these crucial areas.
To follow the tagged monarchs and contribute to conservation efforts, individuals can download the free Project Monarch app, with tags in New Brunswick identified by the prefix PLBO. By the season’s end, Nature NB anticipates tagging 22 monarchs in the province with this innovative technology.
