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Monarch Health

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Athens, GA
Monarch Health

Monarch Health: A community science project where volunteers across North America monitor the health of wild monarchs.

We collaborate with participants to track the spread of the parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha over geographic space and through time. Monarch Health is a community science project to track the prevalence of the protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) in monarch butterflies. This parasite does not infect humans but can make butterflies sick: Monarchs infected with OE often do not fly as well or live as long as uninfected monarchs. Infected monarchs may look deformed after they emerge from their chrysalis, or they may appear completely normal. To test monarchs for OE infection, volunteer participants (1) Obtain wild adult monarchs by either catching or rearing them, and (2) Press a clear sticker against the monarchs' abdomen to collect any parasites (which are external at this stage). Monarchs are then released, entirely unharmed. At the Altizer lab at the University of Georgia, we examine each sample using a microscope to detect OE parasites. We share all results with participants, answer questions about monarch diseases, and send free sampling kits to volunteers.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from the PMH team!🎃

Here is our take on the Silence of the Lambs movie poster! 🦋

10/24/2025

Meet one of the organizations that volunteers with us!! 🦋

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is a privately owned tourist attraction in Cambridge, Ontario, featuring a lush tropical garden filled with thousands of free-flying butterflies, exotic birds, and tropical plants. They combine science education with wonder —offering engaging exhibits, live insect displays, and a unique Emergence Window where visitors can watch butterflies take their first flight. Guided by a commitment to education, conservation, and research, the Conservatory provides interactive programs for schools, families, and community groups, while inviting all visitors to connect with the beauty and importance of the natural world.

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory began incorporating Project Monarch Health into their annual Monarch Tagging event several years ago. Most of their PMH samples come from this event, which is held during one of the first couple weekends in September.

“We demonstrate and educate about the tagging through Monarch Watch, as well as about the spread of OE and Project Monarch Health. In this way we’re both contributing to citizen/community science, while educating others and also showing them the importance of contributing to these projects,” says Andalyne Tofflemire, the Conservatory's naturalist.

This month, they have featured the local Woolly Bear caterpillar and how insects overwinter! Although butterflies are their main focus, they like to include moths as much as possible since they are a keystone invertebrate in many ecosystems.

Their team consists of a variety of departments including administrative, guest services, educators & nature interpreters, cafe and wedding staff.

“A lot of us have varying backgrounds in wildlife biology, outdoor education, environmental science and museum studies just to name a few. We generally are all nature-loving folks into bugs, birds and all kinds of critters, passionate about conservation and education.”

Outside of Project Monarch Health, Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is proud to have been involved with conservation efforts for the endangered Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis) over the last 5+ years. As part of the Ontario Butterfly Species At Risk Recovery Team, they were an integral part of the first successful reintroduction of a butterfly in Ontario! The next species their team plans to work with is the endangered Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus).

Want to get involved? Here’s what’s coming up:

FEBRUARY: Visit them on Family Day to meet live animals in their Critter Corner!

MARCH: During March break, join them for their Magical Morpho event featuring thousands of Blue Morpho butterflies and others!

“We are glad to help get the word out. It’s an important conservation message that people’s actions in their own backyards have significant effects on our wildlife.”

Thank you Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory for supporting our project! 🐛

10/10/2025

Meet Project Monarch Health's Director!🦋

Sonia is a UGA Distinguished Research Professor and serves as Department Head for Entomology at the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on insect ecology, animal migration, parasites and environmental change. For the past 30 years, starting as a PhD student at the University of Minnesota, she’s studied the migration, ecology and conservation of monarch butterflies. Sonia launched Project Monarch Health at UGA in 2006 with the help of then-undergraduate student Natalie Kolleda-Tarpein. When she is not chasing butterflies or working in the office, lab or classroom, Sonia is trail riding with her two horses, walking her golden retriever, picking veggies in the garden, and hanging out with her two boys, ages 10 and 14. Fun fact: This year, Sonia added amateur beekeeper to her list of hobbies! 🐛

10/03/2025

Meet one of Project Monarch Health’s Laboratory Assistants! 🦋

Coriander is a third-year majoring in ecology with a minor in anthropology and a local food systems certificate. She is interested in entomology, One Health, and how culture shapes natural science. At the Altizer lab, she loves working with caterpillars and sharing their wonders with others. Coriander also likes yoga, running, thrifting, and excellent food. 🐛

09/29/2025

Pack an OE testing kit with Project Monarch Health!
Each hand-stamped kit includes:
- a Project Monarch Health Brochure
- Collection Instructions
- Testing Instructions
- Data sheets
- Monarch Larva Monitoring Instructions
- and a return envelope with 2 sticker sheets and index cards!

09/26/2025

Meet one of Project Monarch Health’s Laboratory Assistants! 🦋

Bailey is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Ecology with minors in aquatic and wildlife sciences. They are especially interested in wildlife health and conservation-focused community science. Bailey’s favorite parts of PMH are caring for live butterflies and talking with the wonderful volunteers. Outside the lab, Bailey loves attending concerts and spending time outdoors. 🐛

09/19/2025

Meet one of Project Monarch Health’s Laboratory Assistants! 🦋

Ruhi is third year at UGA with a double major in Biomedical Physiology and Psychology, and a minor in Spanish. She is pursuing the pre-medical track, and she is passionate about public health and getting people involved in science-based projects. When not in the lab, Ruhi enjoys dancing, baking, and painting! 🐛

09/17/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Insectival this past Sunday! 🦋

09/15/2025

We have spotted lots of monarchs flying around Georgia this week - how about you? 🔎🦋

Our favorite butterflies are on the move and have started their journey to Mexico!

Make sure to send in your summer samples, order a free testing kit, and keep sampling monarchs if you see them this fall! 🐛

To request a sampling kit, email us at monarchhealth@gmail.com

Please send your samples to our new mailing address at:
Project Monarch Health
Dept of Entomology
410 Cedar St Bldg C
Athens, GA 30602

09/12/2025

Meet one of Project Monarch Health’s Lab Assistants! 🦋

Alexa is a senior pursuing an A.B. in Ecology. They are especially interested in insects and arachnid behavior, conservation science and science communication. Alexa's favorite things about working in the lab are caring for caterpillars, interacting with volunteers, and collaborating with her lovely lab mates! Outside of PMH, they enjoy cross stitching, mothering a very sassy cat, and exploring the outdoors. 🐛

09/10/2025

Come visit us at Insectival this Sunday at the State Botanical Gardens from noon to 4pm!

Costs are $5 per person or $20 per family.

2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605

09/05/2025

Meet Project Monarch Health’s Graduate Student Researcher! 🦋

Charlotte is starting her third year as a graduate student with Project Monarch Health. In her research, she uses mathematical models and volunteer observations to figure out 'what's going on with wintering monarchs in the US Southeast?' Charlotte is originally from Washington, DC, but now lives in Athens, GA, with her cat, Calvin. When she was a kid, she wanted to be an entomologist or a presenter on Antiques Roadshow. 🐛

Address

410 Cedar Street Bldg C
Athens, GA
30602

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

(706) 542-3485

Website

https://linktr.ee/projectmonarchhealth

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