Monarch banding Sept. 17 in Anderson Prairie

The migration of monarch butterflies to Mexico has begun, and for that reason the Luther College entomology class will host a monarch butterfly migration banding event in Anderson Prairie on the Luther College campus from 1:30-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17.

The monarch butterfly has declined dramatically over the past 20 years, and efforts are being made across Iowa to increase monarch abundance by providing suitable habitat that includes nectar sources for adult butterflies and milkweed for caterpillars.

This event, open to the public, will help provide data on the fall migration of this unique and well-known butterfly.

Participants should check in at the parking lot behind Shirley Baker Commons, where butterfly nets can be checked out to capture monarchs. After turning into the driveway/parking lot across College Drive from the main entrance to the college, participants should travel to the top of the hill and park. In case of cloudy or rainy weather, the event will be canceled.

Contact Kirk Larsen, Luther professor of biology, with questions at larsenkj@luther.edu.

A national liberal arts college with an enrollment of 2,050, Luther offers an academic curriculum that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 60 majors and pre-professional programs. For more information about Luther visit the college’s website: http://www.luther.edu.