Here's how you can help sustain the Monarch butterfly population
Monarch butterflies are incredible travelers.
They cover one of the longest routes across multiple continents to migrate, upwards of 3000 miles from Canada to the oyamel fir forests in the mountains of Mexico.
Unfortunately, the monarch butterfly migration is declining.
Researchers study the monarch migration and annually count the monarchs at their overwintering sites. According to data collected by Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, total area occupied by monarchs has steadily declined since 1993 with a historically low year in winter of 2013-14.
This year’s numbers just were made available, and it looks like monarch populations are down this year again.
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Scientists have been working on the reasons for this decline. Many nectar plants help feed the monarch during its migration, but milkweed is an important one. Milkweed is needed for the Monarch caterpillars to grow and develop.
Female Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweeds and the resulting caterpillar feeds on the plant. The milky sap of the milkweed is poisonous to many other species that are predatory to the Monarch caterpillars. This offers some protection to the caterpillars.
There are over 100 species of milkweed native to North America but increased development and the use of herbicides have decreased the food supply of migrating Monarchs.
Homeowners can help. Consider planting a pollinator garden this spring. Not only do pollinator gardens offer a rest stop for monarchs, but they offer a great addition to your landscape. Many annual and perennial flower species will work well and of course, consider adding in some milkweed species.
Stonecrop, coneflowers, goldenrod, yarrow and asters are all good choices.
Pollinator gardens not only help the monarch on its travels but also help support the bee population and other pollinators.
Helping support our pollinators helps food production, as well.
P. Andrew Rideout is the UK Extension Agent for Horticulture and can be reached at pandrewrideout@uky.edu.
This article originally appeared on Henderson Gleaner: How can I help Monarch butterflies survive?
