Bonita Coleman Interview

They actually do. If butterflies are caught in typhoons (high impact wind and rainstorms), or if they are caught and handled improperly, a butterfly's scales will rub offand its wings will be weakened. As a butterfly ages, its wings begin to deteriorate or wear out – and the edges begin to looked ragged and torn.

2. Can monarch butterflies overheat?

Yes! Butterflies of many species need to avoid extreme heat, and have many strategies for doing so. Monarchs retreat to shady places when it's very hot.

3. Can you have a deformed monarch butterfly from the Agent Orange chemical?

The chemical used in Agent Orange is still present in the soil in central and south Vietnam . Because it is still present, it appears in the foliage today as an active toxin – a poison – that can kill and harm insects. The toxins present themselves in the bodies of worms and caterpillars. These toxins can lead to deformity as well as death for emerging moths and butterflies .

4. Does Vietnam have places like zoos where they try to save these animals that were affected by chemicals?

There are TWO zoos in Vietnam. One in Saigon (aKa, Ho Chi Minh City – or HCM City) and one in Hanoi. They have a few animals that are native to Vietnam, many of which are endangered. The main aim of Vietnamese zoos are to educate the people about wildlife and its importance to the balance of nature. There are also animal preserves located in the National Parks, some of which are only a few years old. Animals are rescued from more than effects of chemicals; people in Vietnam eat anything that moves – including snake, dog and porcupine. Animals are sold on the ‘Black Market' for medicinal purposes. The Vietnamese believe that every body part of an animal has some ability to cure .

5. Does the reaction to people that are affected by Agent Orange the same as animalsaffected by the chemicals?

The toxins that still affect humans today cause birth defects and nerve damage. The effects to animals might be the same, but to insects it more or less kills them.

6. What makes the North American monarchs different from the Vietnamese?

Mainly the markings: Their behavior is still similar, they eat the same foods and they migrate, although no studies have been done on the Vietnamese monarchs to see where they actually go and how long it takes them.

7. How fast can a monarch butterfly travel?

They do not travel quickly; their progress is due to their determination and persistence. They travel from Minnesota to the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico (over 3000 miles), taking the same path every year. The trip takes them 4 to 5 generations to complete this trip. The total time is approximately 2 – 6 months .

8. Do all birds eat monarch butterflies?

No. if a bird eats a monarch it becomes very ill, vomiting, and other symptoms. Itprobably won't die but it also probably will never eat another monarch.

9. Do you know if there is a bird that is not affected by the poisonous monarch butterflies?

The two main predator species – birds that eat monarchs without toxic effects are, black-headed grosbeaks and black-backed orioles, There is also a species of mouse that eats them, the black eared mouse.

10. Where is the favored area of the monarch butterflies?

They prefer highlands. When they reach Mexico they over-winter in the Transvolcanic mountains in the Sierra Madres. When they are in the US they like meadows, fields and marshes. Remember, their primary goal is to EAT so they have to find places where they can find nectar from flowers .

11. Is the chemical still there? And if they are not how did they remove it?

Yes, it is still in the soil in Vietnam and still presents itself through foliage and even animals. It cannot be removed.

12. What kind of habitat does the Vietnamese monarch butterfly live in?

Vietnamese butterflies are very similar to American ones. They like the mountains, or grassy areas, generally because there is more foliage there than near the cities.

13. Where in Vietnam were you studying?

I was in the Northern Region, north of Hanoi. The area where I conducted the research was the Tam Dao Mountains and National park, outside the village of Tam Dao.

14. Do you think the butterflies look different before the war? And in what way.

No, butterflies have not changed really. There just aren't as many now in Vietnam.

15. When did National Geographic find out that the monarchs were endangered?

National Geographic has ongoing research all over the world. Earthwatch Institute in Boston , MA provided the funding for this project. The primary research Dr. Vu Van Lien presented a proposal to receive funding. National Geographic became involved when seeking recipients for their education fellowship, which is how I came to get funding from them .

16. Did the chemicals cause any mutation?

I am not aware of any specifically, but Chemical interaction can cause many problems.

17. Does the monarch eat anything else besides milkweed?

The monarch LARVAE eats strictly milkweed. The adult butterfly eats nectar from a variety of flowers including milkweed, such as Salvia, Butterfly mint, Desert Willow, Dwarf Sunflower, Licorice Mint, Mohonia, Wild Hyacinth, Blue Lobelia and Venus Thistle. There are many species of milkweed, probably more than a dozen.

18. Where is milkweed mostly found?

Just about anywhere that there is a little sun and water, it especially likes the edges of forests and the middle of crops.