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New half-gram radio tags track Monarch butterfly migration via Bluetooth
Key points
- New radio-pulse tags weigh less than half a gram.
- Tags use Bluetooth to transmit location data.
- Data is collected by smartphones, vehicles, and cell towers.
- Researchers gain real-time migration maps.
New Tracking Technology for Monarchs
New technology has enabled the creation of radio-pulse tags weighing less than half a gram, which are now being used to track Monarch butterflies. These tags employ Bluetooth technology to transmit location and time data.
Jennifer Weber, Ph.D. '25, and Shawn Kurtzman from the Conservation Management Institute are among the researchers utilizing this system. The technology allows for the collection of more extensive data on Monarch migration paths and speeds than previously possible.
How the System Works
The radio tags emit a pulse detectable by Bluetooth-enabled devices, including smartphones, vehicles, and cellular towers. These devices then send a signal through a background function to the researchers, creating a continuous, real-time map of the butterflies' movements.
This method functions as a form of "crowd-powered citizen science," where the widespread presence of Bluetooth-enabled devices contributes to data collection. Only the tag number and location information are transmitted.
Migration Data and Discoveries
Researchers have tracked butterflies tagged in the U.S. as they migrate to Mexico and Central America. For example, a butterfly named Sneezy, tagged in Virginia, was detected in Mexico on October 17.
One butterfly, Thomas, tagged in Fort A.P. Hill, was detected in Mississippi and later a thousand miles away in southern Mexico. Researchers noted that Thomas and other tagged monarchs were picked up by a storm system and deposited on the Mexican coast, altering their expected migration route.
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Reporting from
Researchers are using new radio-pulse tags weighing less than half a gram to track Monarch butterfly migrations. These tags utilize Bluetooth technology to send location data to researchers, enabling more comprehensive data collection on migration paths and speeds.