Monarchs & Milkweed

   NATIVE MILKWEED & MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

Handle all butterflies with care. If you would like a photo-op with one, gently catch it.
Then put it in a loose paper bag and refrigerate for only a few minutes. This technique will slow your butterfly
 down long  enough to take your photograph. Soon it will warm up and fly off. 

Over the centuries Monarch Butterflies have captivated humans with their bright colors and annual migration during which they often appear in large groups, called a 'roost'.

  The Monarchs actually migrate alone and not in flocks like birds.  On this journey Monarch populations depend on Native North American 'Milkweeds', the only plant on which they lay their eggs.

A Monarch butterfly egg attached to the underside of a milkweed leaf 

In our area, with modern construction taking more land for development, Milkweed plants are rapidly disappearing.  In rural areas and farm lands, the use of herbicides is also taking its toll on Milkweeds.  

This sadly has a negative effect on the Monarch population.  They have less host plants for their eggs and caterpillars.

Milkweeds (Asclepias) get their name from the sticky white sap that oozes from the leaves when they are damaged.

More than 100 species of this herbaceous perennial are native to the U.S. and Canada.  Many have adapted to different regions of the country and a wide range of climates and terrains, from deserts and rocky areas to marshes and open prairies. Some species grow exclusively in specific regions while others will thrive in just about any habitat.

Milkweed is both a food source and the host plant on which the Monarch lays her eggs, depositing them on the underside of the leaves.

The monarch caterpillar lives its life cycle eating  milkweed plants, absorbing both
nutrients and the toxins that will protect it from predators throughout its life. 

The caterpillars then feed on the leaves after hatching, but cause no permanent damage to the plant. In turn, the toxic chemicals contained in the sap of Milkweed plants make both the caterpillars and adult butterflies unappetizing and even toxic to predators.

The chrysalis is both functional and beautiful, looking more like jewelry rather than a 
cocoon hanging on the leaves.

This technique has worked so well for Monarchs, it was long believed Viceroy butterflies had evolved with similar colors and markings to mimic the Monarch and fool predators that they too are unappetizing.   Recent studies now show Viceroy butterflies are also toxic.

During Monarch migration flight is fueled by 'nectaring' on the flowers and is punctuated by laying eggs on Milkweeds. To grow and sustain each generation, Milkweed is the only food needed.

These migrating butterflies and gathered in a "roost" to feed and mate.
Soon they will disperse and continue to migrate individually. 

Of all the native Milkweed species only one is considered highly desirable for our North American gardens, Butterfly Weed, (Asclepias tuberosa) .

The "common" milkweed is considered very desirable for northeastern gardens..
In hues of orange or golden yellow gardeners are encouraged to find a place for these in their gardens.    

This showy cousin of Milkweed is one of the most ornamental varieties, featuring clusters of vibrant orange flowers.  The blooms are perched atop the ends of the stalks so they create a prominent display even if your plants are located at the back of a flower bed.  Butterfly Weed is slow to establish but will brighten your garden for years to come.  There is also a golden yellow variety.

Butterfly Weed has a deep taproot which helps it survive periods of drought. The downside is that it cannot be successfully transplanted.  When you select a spot to plant it, take this into consideration.  Once in its space you should leave Butterfly Weed where you planted it.  The vibrant color, as mentioned, will stand out in your garden.  If you have space, plant more than one because although Monarchs migrate alone they often gather in route to feed and mate.  These 'roosts' are spectacular when seen.

There are many pretty milkweeds that soon outgrow their space making them
a high maintenance plant.

Milkweed’s highly fragrant and nectar-rich flowers are an enticement for other pollinators as well. Frequent visitors include native bees, honey bees, many other types of butterflies, and hummingbirds.

TROPICAL MILKWEED  
                                     
Plan to Save Monarch Butterflies Backfires

When evidence emerged that Monarch Butterflies were losing the Milkweed they depend on due to the spread of herbicide-resistant crops in the United States, people across the country took action, planting Milkweed in their own gardens.  Many gardeners planted the 'non-native' Tropical Milkweed because of its beautiful bright colors.  This plan backfired in two ways. Since Tropical Milkweed flowers longer into the late autumn and in some parts of the country throughout winter, it fools the Monarchs into staying in our area longer, endangering the butterflies’ iconic migration to Mexico.

Tropical milkweed has brightly colored flowers which makes it attractive to gardeners,
but unfortunately this species has many disadvantages to migrating Monarch butterflies in the Northeast.

Additionally Tropical Milkweed holds onto its original leaves though its entire life causing overuse by Monarchs and increasing the odds of the caterpillars becoming infected with a crippling parasite.

Gardeners are asked to not plant Tropical milkweed, or to pot it up in early
autumn and overwinter it indoors.  This will help keep the butterflies on their long annual
migration to Mexico.

How can you to help solve this problem ? (1) Plant native Milkweeds.   (2) If you have Tropical Milkweed prune half the plants in mid-season, then prune the other half when the first has recovered (3) In late summer Tropical Milkweed can be potted up and overwintered indoors. This is because tropical plants get plenty of rain so they do not require a deep taproot like its North American cousins.

Happy Butterfly Gardening, James

Thanks to the all entomology experts, butterfly organizations  and the photographers whose love of Monarchs made this article possible.Top of Form

The life span of a monarch butterfly is six to seven weeks.