Creating Habitats for Monarch Butterflies
By Vincent Piselli, Land Manager
Is Your Home Ready to Welcome Royalty?
 There have been many times when I have come home exhausted and distracted from a long day of landscaping, arms loaded with souvenirs from another successful adventure with Mother Nature only to enter the living room and do a classic Dick Van Dyke style tumble over the ottoman and shout “where did that come from?”…. “The house looks completely different!”
“You’re in the same house” my wife assures me. “We are expecting company, so I rearranged the furniture and added a few simple things to make our guests feel comfortable!” Before I know it, my grumbling turns to pride over my “new” home. It suits my family’s current needs better. We feel a little less stressed and not to mention it looks great.
This is the way I would like you to think about the few simple steps it will take to help you prepare to welcome nature’s “royal” guests – Monarch butterflies to your outdoor home this May when they continue their annual migrate back to Connecticut from their winter roosts in Central Mexico. It’s easy and primarily involves simplifying and rearranging the landscape that you already have. In the end it can save you time and money and offer natural rewards worth a king’s ransom.
Why are we so keen on Monarch’s? – Rooting for “Rocky”!
Like the underdog prizefighter who seems to persevere despite absorbing an endless stream of punishing blows, the story of the Monarch butterfly captivates us. Known by their scientific name Danaus plexippus, monarchs are awe-inspiring and are the most easily recognizable visitors to our home landscapes. Their large 2 inch wingspan, signature orange, black and white colors and powerful flight patterns (often sailing with their wings held in a confident “V”) give them a majestic look reminiscent of royalty, offering a careful wave to an admiring crowd of onlookers.
The value of Monarchs (and all butterflies) to ecosystem health is unmistakable. They are prolific pollinators, second only to bees; they act as extremely efficient recyclers of animal and plant waste and are an important food source for the small vertebrate predators that find them palatable.
Many people believe that the reverence we have for their perceived physical strength, endurance and courage is well deserved and worth considering as a benchmark for our own lives. Take a moment to study its migration story and see if you agree.
Migration to warmer environments in search of food and other life cycle needs is common in the animal kingdom. However, the monarch is unique in that it is the only butterfly known to make such a long two-way migration each year. Unlike most insects and many other other butterfly species that can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or even as adults, monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates. In order to ensure survival, every fall around mid-October, two to five million of these majestic Lepidoptera, living east of the Rockies from the Canadian border and south to Florida, awaken to the ring of their millennia-old circadian alarm clock. It is at this moment that their genetic memory kicks in and they choose to make the journey, up to 3,000 miles, back to the protection of their winter roosts in the trans-volcanic mountain groves of the “Sacred Fir” (Abies religiosa), west of Mexico City.
By mid November these monarchs huddle together for warmth in cool, damp Mexican mountain tops in 14 known roosts on a small 216 square mile of conservation real estate. Here they slow their metabolism to survive on stored fat and brace themselves to survive increasing pressure from the potential of a deadly frost exposure like the one that caused a massive 80% mortality rate in 2002.
The increased exposure in the mountain-top monarch sanctuaries is a direct result of a global warming induced increase in precipitation and gaps in the protective canopy caused by logging of valuable Oyamel lumber. As increased moisture falls on the huddled monarchs, gaps in the canopy allow cool air to turn the moisture into frost which easily kills millions of the exposed creatures. This year’s population of about 200 million represents about ½ of the average monarch population that has been measured over wintering in Mexico for the past 14 years.
Unfortunately, many researchers feel that monarch populations could become endangered in the next 50 years due to loss of habitat and because the changing world climate could make their winter refuge too wet and cool.
Getting Ready to Welcome Company
While there is a lot happening on the world stage to preserve winter monarch habitats in Mexico – there is plenty to do to preserve and enhance it right in our own back yards. In order to do your part you only have to know what kind of back yard buffet style to set out in order to attract them when they are passing through.
Monarchs hatch four generations of adults each year during the course of their eternal revolving road trip between the North East and Mexico along coastal roadsides, open fields, river valleys and suburban areas. The first three generations of monarchs live only 2 – 6 weeks after the 1 month it takes to mature from egg, to larva to pupa and finally adult. The fourth generation (The one that returns to Mexico) can live up to 8 months and does not reproduce until the following spring.
In Mid March monarchs begin to migrate north from the Oyamel sanctuaries along nectar corridors, a series of habitat patches containing plants that flower at the appropriate times during the spring and fall migrations. These patches provide stopping-off points for the migrating butterflies to refuel and continue their journey.
To learn more about nectar corridors visit http://www.fs.fed.us/monarchbutterfly/habitat/index.shtml.
As they approach Connecticut at the beginning of May you can set up re-fueling stations for the monarchs by planting native nectar producing shrubs such as Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), American Cranberrybush Viburnum (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) and Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum).
Nativespring blooming perennial nectar sources are extensive and varied, but some favorites include Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Wild Bleeding heart (Dicentra exima), and Wild Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis).
For a more complete multi-season list of native-only plants appropriate for your monarch garden project at home and to certify your yard as an official backyard wildlife habitat see: http://www.nwf.org/backyard/northeast.cfm
*For a more complete list of native and non-native nonarch specific host and larval plants see: National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program: http://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/seed_kit.html
Monarch Watch: Butterfly Gardening:
http://www.monarchwatch.org/garden/index.htm
Avoid Planting Invasive Exotic Species in Your Garden.
Plants considered to be exotic invasive should be avoided at all costs. For example Black Swallowwort Cynanchum louiseae (Cynanchum nigrum, Vincetoxicum nigrum) is a milkweed species that is considered an invasive exotic plant in the U.S. It was imported from Europe decades ago for its ornamental value however Monarch eggs mistakenly deposited on them fail to develop into pupa.
* To learn more about native and invasive plants see:
New England Wildflower Society - Invasive Plants and Native Plants
When is a Weed not a Weed?..... When it’s Milkweed!
Of all the plant species preferred by monarchs, by far the most popular is the milkweed family (Asclepias spp. – named after the Roman god of healing). As the northward migrating monarchs exit Mexico, they are keenly aware of a survival instinct that compels them to search for milkweed, a plant which has not adapted to the harsher Mexican climates. It is the only plant that their caterpillar offspring can eat, and for good reason since it is the key to their survival.
From May through August, as returning female monarchs continue their journey north, they begin to deposit up to 300 eggs one at a time exclusively on the underside of 25 species of eastern native perennial milkweed plants found in open fields and roadsides. After a few days, the white monarch eggs hatch into distinct yellow, black and white striped larval caterpillars who spend the next two weeks ingesting the plant’s white milky sap which permanently converts the insect into a relatively foul tasting meal that many predators have learned will make them vomit. As the larvae mature into adults their distinct orange coloration serves as a warning that predators can see from a distance.
In wetter areas female monarchs will find Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), a 4-6ft. tall plant with a large ball shaped pink bloom. In drier areas she will search out the likes of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), a 3-6ft. tall flower with a large ball shaped purple bloom and Butterfly Weed, a short 1-3ft. tall plant with a distinctive orange flower with a more open shape.
Summer & Fall Monarch Garden Plants – Sweet Nectar!
While busy laying eggs, adult monarchs spend time fueling up on nectar sources, acting as important pollinators for many species of plants and eventually building up the fat stores they need to survive the fall migration. Monarchs use their antennae to sense the air for scents which will lead them to nectar. Since they do not have a mouth they taste through their feet and determine whether or not they have chosen an appropriate meal by standing on it. When they are happy with what they find, they uncoil their straw-like 'proboscis' and drink. In Connecticut there is plenty of nectar to go around.
Summer and fall is when Connecticut native wildflowers provide a smorgasbord of choices for Monarchs in the natural landscape. With a little bit of creativity you can include all of them in your home garden plans.
For moist to wet sites choose (showy flower / long bloom period) nectar producing natives such as Turtlehead (Chelone spp.), Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium spp.), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia spp.), New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae),Iron Weed (Vernonia spp.), Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum) Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), Button Bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis),)
For Moist to dry sites choose natives such as Wild Indigo (Baptisia spp.), Tickseed (Corepsis spp.), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea spp.), Blazing Star ( Liatris spp.), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.), Bee Balm (Monarda spp.), Lupine (Lupinus spp.), Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.), BottleBrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) and Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii)
The Lay of the Land -- What Will Your New Monarch Garden Look Like?
Now that you have a new appreciation for the value of your future monarch guests and you have a shopping list for the menu you will set out for them – it’s time to learn how to “arrange the furniture” in their new temporary home in your garden landscape. Here are some pointers.
- Plant both nectar plants for butterflies and host plants for larvae.(See the above references for detailed information.). Although your monarch guests may only visit for a short while, it only takes about one month for them to complete a life cycle. So offer them a complete healthy menu so they will stay as long as possible.
- Arrange plantings in a natural style that mimics existing plant communities and suit the garden site. By matching plant needs to site conditions (sunlight, soil moisture, PH) you will be able choose plants that require little maintenance. Monarchs have relatively poor long distance vision and depend on a keen sense of smell to find nectar. They are also attracted to large splashes of red orange, yellow and purple flowers, so combine species of plants to create large islands of fragrant flowers with bright attractive colors. Avoid large flowers bred for their size because they are often poor nectar sources.
- Glean design cues from Mother Nature. Take a field trip to a large intact natural area to spend time studying native plant communities. Take the time to study its structure and composition. Ask questions like: Does this site match the conditions on my property? How can I replicate each layer of this ecosystem (soil, grasses, ferns, perennials, shrubs and trees)? What plants make up this system? What physical structures make up this system (sunlight, soil, water, rock, natural debris)?
Take the time to study resources that describe natural landscapes in New England and provide resources for helping you create a sustainable backyard wildlife habitat.
My Top Picks:
- Leopold, D. J. (2005). Native Plants of the Northeast. Portland, OR: Timber Press/ www.timberpress.com.
- Lowe, C. B. (2000). Butterfly Gardening in New England. 180 Hemenway rd., Framingham, MA. 01701: New England Wildflower Society / www.newfs.org.
- Ken, D., & Roach, M. (1994). The NaturalHabitatGarden. Portland, OR: Timber Press / www.timberpress.com.
- Hammerson, G. A. (2004). Connecticut Wildlife: Bidoversity, Natural History, and Conservaiton. Lebanon, NH: University Press of New ENgland / www.UPNE.com
- Cech, R., & Tudor, G. (2005). Butterflies of the East Coast an Observer's Guide. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press / www.press.princeton.edu.
- Britt, S. E., Rechetiloff, K., & Zwiker, S. M. (2005). Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation: Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Chesapeake Bay Field Office, Annapolis, MD: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake.
Provide minerals with a mud puddle or rotting fruit. Monarchs seek out minerals only found in trace amounts in nectar. In this regard they hunt for pollen, tree sap, rotting fruit, animal waste and dissolved minerals in wet sand or dirt. Observe carefully and you may notice that male monarchs (thinner black webbing within the wings, two black spots on hind wings) seem to “puddle” more actively than females. This is because they are on the look-out for proteins, sodium and other minerals which are vital for the creation of pheromones to attract females and for the creation of reproductive chemicals that they pass on to females to ensure healthy egg formation. You will notice that they are attracted to sodium in salt and they sometimes land on people in search of nourishment, because they are attracted by human sweat.
You can make a mud puddle by burying a plastic tub at ground level and giving it a regular soak with a garden hose or by creating small depressions in the soil where water can collect. You can create a monarch feeding station (and feed the soil at the same time) by designating a small sunny area near your butterfly garden for a collection of rotten fruit.
Provide sunny spots and shelter from the wind. Monarchs are cold blooded and need a body temperature of 82-100 F in order to fully develop and fly well. When the air is cooler, adults will find a sunny spot and bask on a warm rock or plant. You can enhance this kind of experience for your winged friends by adding large stones to your garden or by strategic pruning that will allow more light in through the tree canopy near your garden.
Use No Pesticides. This is a simple rule. Pesticides kill insects. They can make you sick too. A well designed garden that mimics a local natural environment will attract all of the checks and balances it needs to be healthy.
Sit back and enjoy! Gardening for Monarch butterflies can be fun and very rewarding. And as you can see, it doesn’t take a major investment of time, money or a lifestyle change to make it happen. Rather it just takes the courage to shake off old garden traditions and the faith to work with the natural rhythms of the butterfly habitat that exists right in your own backyard. Just remember monarchs have been returning to Connecticut searching for a little piece of butterfly heaven for thousands of years. It won’t take much for them to find you if you simply take the time to put out the welcome mat that our “royal” guests are looking for.
For more information on butterfly gardening in the Northeast visit the following links:
Universityof Rhode Island– Greenshare:
http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/butterfly.html
American Museum of Natural History – Butterfly Conservatory:
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/butterflies/garden.html - nybg
The New York Botanical Garden–Butterfly Gardens:
http://www.nybg.org/hgc_online/fact_sheets_detail.php?id_fact_sheet=6
Yale Peabody Museum: Entomology: Connecticut Butterfly Atlas Project:
http://www.peabody.yale.edu/collections/ent/ent_cbap.html |
