Monarchs control the skies

While driving down U.S. 71 highway this week, Fred and Doris Davis counted more than 100 monarch butterflies between Butler and Rich Hill. Davis, who has always had a fascination with the annual migration of these "flying flowers" said, "Every year that I open the dove season in September I have watched the migration of monarchs and it's really amazing how they recognize direction and join others after flying south for a thousand miles."

The monarch is an insect that has captured the imagination of many people and is an insect that every kid is familiar with as the monarchs pass through our area.

During the next month dove and teal hunters across the state will be watching these interesting migrants and wondering where they are headed. On days when there is little wind, the air is literally filled with these colorful beauties. September is the month when we notice these colorful insects as they pass on their way some 2,000 miles south for the winter.

Bob Martin, Sedalia, said, "Last year while dove hunting, everywhere I looked I could see dozens of butterflies moving along. Several times I thought a bird was heading my way. On my way home I must have had dozens hit my truck. The monarchs can be tantalizing as you watch them drift by."

Collecting butterflies is a hobby as old as man and there are legends about a Persian king who trained birds to act as falcons to hunt butterflies and bring them back unharmed.

Although some of the butterflies in the larval stage may be destructive to some plants, they are also useful as scavengers because they eat other insects and the adults are a valuable pollinator.

For the next month every time you go outdoors or riding along the highway, you are sure to see hundreds of migrating monarchs making their long journey to Mexico. It's another way to enjoy our outdoors, and you don't need a permit.

While the monarchs are heading south, hunters are getting ready for several seasons, including the deer and turkey archery season that opens Sept. 15.