Milkweed for Monarchs

Monarch on Coneflower
photo by Steve Davis
Click photo to enlarge

 
The population of Monarch Butterflies varies from year to year, but the numbers of migrating Monarchs has been significantly decreasing over the last 10 years.

What are the possible causes of the decline?

• Bad Weather: drought and extreme heat
• Logging in the Monarch's over-wintering areas of Mexico
• Loss of milkweed along the Monarch's migratory routes (This is believed to be the most significant cause of decline.)

Patches of the milkweed have rapidly disappeared as farmers, over the past 10 years, have switched to growing crops that are genetically engineered to tolerate the herbicide, Roundup.  The increased use of Roundup has all but wiped out milkweed that once grew between rows of corn and soybeans.  The result is a landscape that has been "sterilized" of plants that are needed by Monarchs and other pollinators.

Besides monarchs other pollinators are also disappearing due to habitat loss. The loss is no small matter. Insects help the web of life with essential services, and they are a prime source of food for birds. Some 80 percent of our food crops are pollinated by insects. "All of them are in trouble."    – Marla Spivak, Professor of Apiculture, University of Minnesota.

Meadow Fritillary & Tiger Swallowtail, photo by Ruth McKeon
     Click photo to enlarge

How to Plant & Care For Milkweed  Download Project Brochure
NEW 6/1/15 

You Can Help!

In partnership with Monarch Watch, based at the University of Kansas, SCAS is leading a project to help you help Monarchs (and oher pollinators). Here are some things you can do: Plant native milkweed. Plant native nectar-producing flowers. Write letters to governmental leaders and CEO of Monsanto, Roundup producer. Donate $ to SCAS for more milkweed plants to make this an on-going project. View / Print / Download a Complete List of Native Plants                     (provided by Carolyn Summers)

Buckeye photo by Renee Davis Click photo to enlarge

Monarchs In the News

Monarch Butterfly photo by Mary Collier Click photo to enlarge

Last Call For Monarchs Huffington Post, 2/7/14 Migration of Monarch Butterflies Shrinks Again Under Inhospitable Conditions New York Times, 1/29/14 Milkweed, Monarchs, and GMOs by Kathy Scullion, Warblings, Spring 2014 North American Leaders Urged to Restore Monarch Butterfly's Habitat by Elisabeth Malkin, New York Times, 2/14/14 Setting the Table for a Regal Butterfly Comeback, With Milkweed by Michael Wines, New York Times, 12/20/13 The Year the Monarch Didn't Appear by Jim Robbins,         New York Times Sunday Review, 11/22/13 Monarch Population Status by Chip Taylor, Monarch Watch, 1/29/14 Monarch Watch Announces Bring Back the Monarchs Campaign

More Monarchs & Milkweed Information

For more information on Monarchs, visit the comprehensive Monarch Watch website.