Migratory monarchs that encounter resident monarchs show life-history differences and higher rates of parasite infection

Abstract

Environmental change induces some wildlife populations to shift from migratory to resident behaviours. Newly formed resident populations could influence the health and behaviour of remaining migrants. We investigated migrant-resident interactions among monarch butterflies and consequences for life history and parasitism. Eastern North American monarchs migrate annually to Mexico, but some now breed year-round on exotic milkweed in the southern US and experience high infection prevalence of protozoan parasites. Using stable isotopes (δ² H, δ¹³ C) and cardenolide profiles to estimate natal origins, we show that migrant and resident monarchs overlap during fall and spring migration. Migrants at sites with residents were 13 times more likely to have infections and three times more likely to be reproductive (outside normal breeding season) compared to other migrants. Exotic milkweed might either attract migrants that are already infected or reproductive, or alternatively, induce these states. Increased migrant-resident interactions could affect monarch parasitism, migratory success and long-term conservation.

Keywords: Asclepias curassavica; Danaus plexippus; Ophryocystis elektroscirrha; cardenolide profile; migrant-resident interactions; partial migration; reproductive diapause; stable isotopes; tropical milkweed.