MDC Hosting Butterfly Tagging Workshop Near Platte City

People who enjoy butterflies can help scientists track the movements and migrations of monarch butterflies.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will host a Citizen Science workshop on butterflies and tagging monarchs from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 25, at Platte County’s Platte Ridge Park north of Platte City.

MDC conservation educator Kathleen Savaiano says participants will learn about our local butterflies, their life cycles, their role as pollinators, and monarchs’ unique journey to Mexico in autumn.

Participants will use butterfly safety nets to capture butterflies they encounter at the park.

Any monarch butterflies netted will receive small paper tags attached to their wings.

The tags have identification numbers recorded onsite and put into a national database.

If someone finds a butterfly with a tag, they can report it online.

This helps scientists track monarch movements and population numbers.

MDC recommends insect repellent.

Registration is required.

You can register for this event by clicking here.