Nature NB has introduced a cutting-edge method for tracking monarch butterflies in New Brunswick this year, eliminating the reliance on chance encounters with tagged insects. The organization collaborated with the Saint John Naturalist Club, Point Lepreau Bird Observatory, and Environment and Climate Change Canada to deploy Bluetooth-enabled tags on monarchs for the first time in the region.
These innovative tags, known as BluMorpho tags, are solar-powered and lightweight, attaching to the butterfly’s thorax with a small dab of eyelash glue. Unlike traditional wing tags that require physical recapture for data collection, BluMorpho tags work through passive Bluetooth interactions. When individuals with Bluetooth enabled on their phones come within 100 meters of a tagged monarch, the data is automatically logged.
The shift to this new technology marks a significant advancement in monarch conservation efforts, according to Francie Morgan, the program coordinator at Nature NB. The previous method of relying on numbered wing tags and serendipitous sightings has now been replaced by a more efficient and accessible online tracking system.
Last year, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada initiated the use of this technology on monarchs in southern Ontario. Building on this success, Nature NB secured funding from the Environmental Trust Fund of New Brunswick and the federal government to implement the BluMorpho tags. However, logistical challenges at the border have delayed the deployment of all planned tags for this season.
Despite these setbacks, preliminary data from the tagged monarchs has already provided valuable insights into migration patterns in the province. The tracking technology has confirmed Point Lepreau as a critical stopover point for monarchs before they continue their journey down the Eastern Seaboard.
Additionally, unexpected findings, such as monarchs ending up in Nova Scotia due to strong westerly winds, have shed light on how environmental factors influence migration decisions. By monitoring individual migration routes, researchers aim to identify crucial natural corridors that monarchs rely on, enabling targeted conservation efforts to protect these vital habitats.
To keep up with the tagged monarchs’ progress, individuals can use the Project Monarch app, with tags in New Brunswick starting with the prefix PLBO. By the end of the season, Nature NB anticipates tagging a total of 22 monarchs in the province using this innovative technology.