Monarch Butterflies in Critical Stage

The days of the annual migration of monarch butterflies to central Mexico may be numbered, according to a recent report cited in the March 2014 newsletter of the East Central Ohio Audubon Society.

Studies that began in 1993 showed that this winter the migration reached an all time low, part of a long-term trend.  The acreages of trees covered with monarchs was down to 1.65 acres this winter, from a high of 44.5 acres in 1995.

What can we do?  For one thing, we can plant monarch butterfly gardens--milkweed plants for the caterpillars to devour and nearby nectar plants for the adult butterflies to sip on--and pollinate.  That suggestion comes from "Monarch Watch" (http://www.monarchwatch.org).

The nonprofit organization sells milkweed seeds and plants as well as seeds of recommended nectar plants.  It also offers other ways to get involved, such as rearing monarch butterflies and tagging them on release.  And it sells kits for these activities as well.

There is also a program for monitoring caterpillars on milkweed plants in our neighborhoods, either on a weekly or incidental basis.