Monarch butterflies in reproductive diapause still have nutritional needs during the winter months.  Butterflies are more active on warmer, sunny days, sipping nectar from nearby flowers and drinking water.  Roy Cohutta, a freelance journalist,  has been photographing monarch butterflies for the past two years during the winter months.  He has assisted in research by submitting reports through Journey North’s online portal.  To follow up, Reagan Montalvo and Anna Yellin (with the GA DNR) visited the SW Georgia location on a recent February day. They observed over 50 monarch butterflies and 100 Queen butterflies taking advantage of the mild winter weather by feeding on sweet nectar from wild radish, Raphanus raphanastrum.  This common Southeastern cosmopolitan weed with pale yellow winter blooms during cooler months in many agricultural fields and roadsides.  

Monarchs fly for a few short weeks during warm months; however, this overwintering monarch is approximately seven months old. Photo: Roy Cohutta