Second Nature: Milkweed and Monarchs

P

arents will remember that not so many years ago, monarch butterflies were a beautiful and common sight during September. Over the past few years, however, these big orange butterflies have become very rare. There are a number of reasons for this decline, but the most important is the loss of the plant that these caterpillars depend upon: milkweed. Monarchs lay their eggs, little white dots, on milkweed, and only on milkweed. The handsome striped caterpillars hatch out and feed on the leaves. Milkweed contains a chemical that makes the caterpillars toxic to many of the things that might eat The

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them, and when the caterpillars turn into butterflies, the butterflies, likewise, remain unpalatable to many predators. If there is no milkweed, there are no monarchs. Unfortunately, much of the land that once grew milkweed, and therefore monarchs, is in what has become the Midwestern corn belt, and in recent years the conversion of every available acre to corn and soybeans has eliminated most of the milkweed from the monarch heartland. Monarch butterflies are still abundant on the west coast of the United States, and in a couple of other parts of the world, but the butterflies that populate the eastern and central U.S. are gravely threatened – these are the migrating monarchs, the

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Drawings by Patti Smith

amazing butterflies that fly all the way to Mexico and spend the winter congregated high in the mountains. These butterflies survive the winter in a state of semi-dormancy, and in the spring begin the return trip north. Many of them will make it as far north as Texas before laying eggs, giving rise to a summer generation that continues the journey north. These summer monarchs live for only a few weeks as butterflies, just long enough to lay more eggs. The monarchs that arrive here in the north might be the grandchildren or great-grandchildren of butterflies that spent the winter in Mexico. In September, however, the last monarch generation of the year is special. These are the overwintering butterflies, and somehow know to make the long journey all the way to Mexico. A few years ago, it was a favorite BEEC kids’ activity to look for monarch eggs and caterpillars. They were easy to find. Also easy to find were the beautiful jeweled chrysalises where the caterpillars changed into butterflies. We would bring the chrysalises into classrooms and watch the miraculous emergence of the monarch butterflies. This year, a search for caterpillars and chrysalises would likely result in frustration. Instead, we encourage you and your children to go out and admire milkweed. In September, the pods will begin to open and the seeds will be seen drifting high on their downy sails.

parentexpress • September 2015

When

you find

pods begin-

ning to open,

have your kids

feel the silkiness of

the parachutes.

These hollow fibers

are coated in

wax, so they are

water-repellent

and buoyant. During

World War II,

milkweed down was

used to fill floatation vests and kids were paid to gather the pods. Of course, what the silk does best is carry the seeds to a place where they might grow into a new milkweed plant, and maybe provide a home to a monarch caterpillar. A great way to celebrate milkweed and monarchs is to find ripe pods and set free the seeds (make sure they are brown, and

that the silk is fluffy). If there is no breeze, make your own. As you admire the spectacle of soaring seeds, send along a wish for the seeds to find a good place to grow, and for the butterflies to find your milkweed next year. If you know of a place where milkweed would be especially welcome, like a portion of your yard or a sunny meadow, collect some pods and cast your seeds there. While the prospects are somewhat gloomy for our monarchs, do not dampen your children’s sense of wonder by describing the butterflies’ plight. Rather, tell them the story of the amazing migrating monarchs and how they love the milkweed, and that maybe they will be lucky enough to see them some day.

The monarch numbers are up slightly this year from the record low of last year. Since their reproduction rate is fairly high, we may see a bit of a rebound if luck is with them over the next few years. If you’re very lucky, you might even see a September monarch this year, maybe even while you’re out there in the milkweed. If you do, you will know just how to wish her a bon voyage – with a flurry of sailing milkweed seeds. Note: Just as the writer finished this story, a monarch butterfly fluttered through the BEEC gardens! The first of the year. Second Nature is contributed by the naturalists at Bonnyvaile Environmental Education Center. For more information, visit www.beec.org or call 802-257-5785.

Photos by Liz West / Creative Commons

parentexpress • September 2015

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