Here are ways we can all help monarch butterflies [Master Gardener column]

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is renowned for its black-and-orange beauty and its spectacular migration of thousands of miles to overwinter in California and Mexico.

Many of us lament that we don’t seem to see as many monarchs as we did in the past. This impression is backed by real evidence. The World Wildlife Fund (worldwildlife.org) reports that the overwintering acreage occupied by Eastern monarchs diminished by 59% in the 2023 to 2024 study year.

If you look closely at the monarch butterfly life cycle, it seems that the odds are stacked against them. Other insects, birds, and even their own species prey on them. Parasites, bacteria, and viruses cause additional casualties. However, the real culprits in long-term monarch decline are the widespread use of pesticides and the loss of habitat, partially due to climate change. So, what can we do to help monarch butterflies?

There are many things we can all do to maintain the habitat of monarch butterflies, including planting milkweed and quality nectar sources.

UNSPLASH

Plant milkweed

Monarchs lay their eggs on plants in the milkweed family because newly hatched caterpillars need this food source. Toxins the caterpillars ingest from milkweed sap protect them from predators as they continue their life cycle. Don’t let the name “weed” fool you — milkweed plants are beautiful in the garden. The unadulterated common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is about 6 feet tall with globes of dusty pink flowers. The shorter swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) also blooms pink. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) sports clusters of orange flowers.

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Plant quality nectar sources

Adult monarchs need the nectar from milkweed and many other native plants to support their ability to reproduce and, for the final generation of each season, the stamina to migrate. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation’s (xerces.org) list of the best monarch nectar plants for our region includes wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), blazing star (Liatris spp.), and blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum). Although you may see monarchs feeding on butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), this non-native plant provides very little quality nourishment for butterflies.

There are many things we can all do to maintain the habitat of monarch butterflies, including planting milkweed and quality nectar sources.

PEXELS

More ways to help monarchs

Avoid pesticides. Don’t invite monarchs into your garden only to kill them with pesticides. Keep in mind that having your property sprayed to kill mosquitoes will also kill monarch eggs and caterpillars. And much as we may desire to protect monarchs from the perils of the outside world, rearing them in your home is a misguided attempt to help. This practice can be beneficial as an educational activity, but the Xerces Society and other experts warn that large-scale rearing of monarchs in captivity can lead to the spread of disease and the loss of genetic diversity.

Local butterfly research

Penn State Extension researches butterflies and other pollinators at the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 1446 Auction Road, Manheim. We invite you to visit the research plot, “Bees, Bugs and Blooms,” any day from dawn to dusk. A special open house is taking place from 9 to noon Saturday, when there will be informal talks and a pollinator plant sale. Registration is required. For more information and to sign up for the free event, see lanc.news/PollinatorOpenHouse.

Lois Miklas is a Penn State Master Gardener for Lancaster County, and a former area Master Gardener coordinator.

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