I shared my photos of monarch caterpillars
enjoying the milkweed in my garden this summer with the Garden Club. In sharing them with you I want to tell you
just how easy it is to provide habitat for these imperiled animals and what is
threatening them. Here is why we all
need to do something for the monarch.
Then I'll share how you can easily start your own Monarch Way Station.
Hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate
from Canada to Mexico every fall to overwinter in the high elevation oyamel
fir forests of central Mexico. The
pictures of millions of Monarch butterflies resting on these trees are
spectacular. (photo) In the US, we are
reminded frequently of the damage we have caused to our environment such as losing 52% of the population of
vertebrate animals in just 2 generations of human abuse and the Honeybee Colony
Collapse. Lately, scientists have found that
there has been a 90% decline in of monarch butterflies in less than 20 years.
This decline is troubling enough for some environmental groups to ask for federal protection for
these beautiful orange and black butterflies that undertake one of nature’s
most intriguing yearly migrations from Canada to Mexico.
The known causes of monarch decline include the
loss of more than 165 million acres of their habitat , including nearly a third
of their summer breeding and feeding grounds to human development, widespread use
of glyphosate-based herbicides like
Roundup, and planting of genetically engineered
Roundup-resistant crops in the Midwest where many monarchs are born. While some plants have evolved to be
resistant to glyphosate, the milkweed has developed no such immunity. Round-up remains a potent killer of milkweed,
the monarch’s only food. And now, the
EPA has approved a combination herbicide of glyphosate and 2,4-D, Enlist-Duo,
to kill weeds that have developed glyphosate resistance. The NRDC is suing
the EPA over this decision, but in the meantime thousands of acres of milkweed
being lost daily through the use of Enlist-Duo or Roundup.
Milkweed plants are the only plants that the monarch
will lay her eggs on and once hatched the larvae eat milkweed leaves as their
first meal. Milkweed consumption
provides the caterpillar more than nourishment; it imparts a special predator
deterrent to both the monarch caterpillar and butterfly. Milkweed is poisonous. Consumption of milkweed renders the monarch
poisonous as well. The caterpillar's and
butterfly's bright colors advertise its deadly nature, and smart predators will
avoid it, and live to see another day.
It's easy for us to become discouraged about our
ability to affect the decisions of large corporations and agencies. But that doesn't mean we can't do important
things as individuals to protect milkweed and sustain (and even replenish) our
monarch population. Residents of the Midwest,
where the effects of herbicides have devastated the milkweed population, are
planting "migration corridors of milkweed" to support monarchs
enroute between Canada and Mexico. While
northeast Florida is not an agricultural zone, we are in a migration path and threats
to monarchs are here too:
overdevelopment and mosquito spraying being just two. You can help.
Plant some milkweed and ask your neighbors to do the same.
Milkweeds are very easy to grow and once
established will provide nourishment for many offspring in your garden and
landscape. The Monarch Joint Venture
website has a milkweed resource page that tells you how to locate
appropriate milkweed seeds and plants for your area. Because monarchs have 3-4 generations yearly
with easily identified egg, larvae and butterfly stages, once you plant your
milkweed you’ll be guaranteed wonderful
nature viewing and numerous outdoor, teaching, and photography opportunities for
yourself and family all spring, summer and fall. This year my yard has seen three generations
of monarchs, and October is the time for the 4th generation, the long-distance
flyers, to begin the important migration to the monarch winter home in Mexico.
We can become good stewards for our
environment and help to stop the decline of these beautiful butterflies with
just a few simple steps. Don't use
herbicides that are toxic to milkweeds and avoid pesticides
such as those cited at the Monarch Joint Venture that can adversely affect monarch
caterpillars and butterflies. You can
check with your local University
of Florida extension service for alternatives that are safer. Plant milkweed wherever you can, and spread
the word to your friends and local organizations. Pay attention to where you
buy your milkweed plants or seeds and ask the store if they have been treated
with pesticides. Better yet, find a
reputable source of milkweed seeds for your state at the Xerces Society Project Milkweed
page. Visit www.monarchwatch.org
and learn how to create a Monarch Way Station.
Monarch Way Stations are places that provide milkweeds, other nectar
plants, and water to the generations that breed and migrate yearly. If you do start a milkweed garden please
register it at the Monarch Watch. You
may also look at the North
American Butterfly Association website for information on creating a multi-species
butterfly habitat in to your garden that supports both the larvae and adults,
having your butterfly garden certified, and supporting butterfly research by
doing butterfly counts.
Last but not least, join a garden club that
promotes wildlife conservation. The Garden Club
of Switzerland is dedicated to providing habitat for monarchs and other
butterflies. See our Awards and Projects
page for information on our Freedom Butterfly Garden and other initiatives to
protect wildlife and the environment. Let's stay in
touch!
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