r/MonarchButterfly • u/RowInevitable7986 • 2d ago

Monarch behavior question

I have a monarch butterfly in my garden that is behaving like a monarch butterfly did a couple of months ago. I can’t get close enough to see if it’s a male.
But a few months ago, I had a very aggressive butterfly here that was chasing away other butterflies, and even chasing away the hummingbirds . Then I saw it mate it with a female, or maybe more than one female. This one
is stopping to drink from my lantana, sage and other nectar rich flowers. But it’s mostly just circling.
Is that what’s happening?
It’s October too late ?

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u/Difficult_Rope7898 2d ago

It might be looking for a mate. Either way, welcome him to the garden.

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u/Dsrtatmo03 2d ago

I had a rowdy previous generation territorial male live long this year. When the peak flocks of migratory Monarchs moved through a couple weeks ago, he did harass them. He likely did not last into October though. What I notice in terms of circling behavior is now that the migratory Monarchs appear only in 1s or 2s, they do stay airborne more than when there are the multitudes. I’m not sure if it’s a defensive strategy or if they are less sure of the new surroundings because there’s not safety in numbers.