Is Tipsy a boy or a girl?

Early last September I met Alexa, age 10, and let her take home a pet monarch with deformed wings, called “Tipsy.” I also gave her a monarch chrysalis to care for, and was rewarded that evening with a couple of e-mails from New Jersey.

“Dear Ed,

the butterfly And the coccon are doing fine. do the butterflyes drink necter and what kind?”

Alexa

“Dear Ed,

I have one one more question. tipsy keeps flaping his wings reaily fast and I do not know what to do. if you know what to do write bac soon.”

Alexa

“Dear Ed,

sorry to bother you again but how can you tell when A butterfly is sleeping? and is there any thing that I need to know about butterflyes and coccons? Write back soon”

The following week, I learned about Tipsy’s visit to the elementary school.

“Dear Ed,

Tipsy is doing great. today is September 13 and I took Tipsy To school today and everyone loved him or her. I have A question. is tipsy A boy or A girl? Write back soon ”

Later, as the chrysalis matured, Alexa began to worry about potential problems, but was rewarded when a beautiful monarch hatched on September 19, 2005.

“Dear Ed,

Did you get my e-mail asking you what I have to do if the butterfly hatches and its Wings get tangled? I am really nervous…”

“Dear Ed,

guess What. The crlis hatched. I was getting ready for school And it was not even the right color yet so I went into my moms room to do my hair. And I came back And there it was. I can not tell if it is A boy or a girl. Write back soon.”

Alexa has now learned that a male monarch is distinguished by two dark spots on its hind wings.