The Monarch Butterfly
Tim Wayne Brown spoke to our group on 5/18/24 regarding his experience with the Monarch Butterfly. The Monarch Butterfly is considered to be an endangered species with numbers declining due to climate change, destruction of natural habitat and increased use of pesticides. From the moment a caterpillar appears to the time it takes wing, only 3% to 9% survive.
The Monarch caterpillar needs Milkweed and Butterfly Weed to survive. The Milkweed is the only plant where the Monarch will lay their eggs and their leaves are its only source of nourishment for their caterpillars. These native plants can grow 3 to 4 feet tall and are often seen along the roadsides, in wooded areas and other natural habitats. Many gardeners consider this invasive plant to be a weed and, unfortunately, go to great effort to eradicate them from their gardens. However, by cultivating these native plants and protecting them from pesticides, gardeners can increase the survival rate of the caterpillar from 3% to 90%!
Here is how you can help save the Monarch Butterfly at home:
Save and clean your plastic storage containers with lids (coleslaw, fruits, etc). Punch holes in the lids.
Collect leaves with caterpillars on them when the caterpillars are the size of fat ants.
Place one to four leaves in a container. The caterpillars will not fight with each other but they like to have their space.
Daily place a fresh leaf in the container. You may see droppings in the bottom of the container which should be removed and can be thrown out into your yard.
Caterpillars will grow to the size of a small finger in approximately one week and will then form a chrysalis (butterfly cocoon).
In 10 to 14 days, the Butterfly will be released from its cocoon.
One day after breaking from its cocoon, the butterfly can be released outdoors
Monarch Butterflies have three hatchings during the year. The Spring and Summer Butterflies will live two to three weeks. The Fall Butterflies migrate south and enter Mexico to winter and will return in the Spring to begin the cycle all over again. The Monarch Butterflies need the Fall Flowering plants to survive their migration flight. Asters and goldenrod are important nectar sources for migrating monarchs. Volunteers helping to track monarch butterfly migration and milkweed phenology across North America can share their findings on https://journeynorth.org/monarchs.