Monarch

Monarch Butterfly
Endangered
WWF Article
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Monarch Butterflies are found in Hawaii and throughout the lower 48 states of the US. The mainland populations migrate south in the winter to the higher altitudes in Mexico and forests in southern California.

Monarch eggs are tiny, white, ribbed, and shaped like a pointy chicken egg. They are laid on the underside of milkweed leaves. When caterpillars hatch, they will consume their eggshell. The caterpillars eat exclusively milkweed (so it is very important to allow milkweed to grow if you live in or near Monarch habitat), though the adult butterflies can survive on any flower. Monarchs only live for about a month once they become butterflies, so every individual counts.

It is possible to raise monarchs at home if you live within their habitat. If you plan on doing so, do extensive research so you know what to look for and how to care for the caterpillars and chrysalises. Since ants and beetles will eat eggs and young caterpillars, not to mention birds, the butterfly will have a greater chance of surviving to mate if it is raised in captivity (and of course released). If you are not confident in your ability to raise such a delicate creature, you can plant milkweed in your yard or a butterfly garden. The seeds can be bought online, or you can find ripe seed pods near the end of summer.

The least you can do is refrain from using pesticides and/or weed killers. Since the caterpillar can only eat milkweed, and the eggs are only laid on milkweed, milkweed is more than essential to the Monarch's life cycle and continued existence.

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Ways To Help

Plant a pollinator garden and/or a monarch rest stop! These act as places for monarchs to rest, feed, and lay eggs.

Leave milkweed you find to grow healthily.

Properly raise monarch caterpillars you may find.

Avoid using products that contain palm oil or palm kernel oil. Palm oil farms are a main cause of deforestation in sensitive tropical areas. These can range from food to make-up products. ALWAYS check what's in your products. Palm oil can be in anything.

Avoid using chemicals such as soaps and salts on your car or driveway. The runoff may be detrimental to milkweed that grows near roads.

Support prairie/grassland recovery projects. These serve as habitats for not only monarchs, but for other butterflies, insects, birds, and reptiles.

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