Monarch butterflies are in trouble. To help, plant milkweed and nectar plants that are native to your area and help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects!
Magnificent with its orange wings laced with black lines and bordered with white dots, the monarch butterfly is in trouble. Its population in North America has plummeted by 90% in the last 20 years. Among the reasons for this decline are habitat loss and degradation, loss of milkweed from extensive herbicide use and climate change.
Famous for their seasonal migration, monarchs are the only butterflies known to make a two-way migration as birds do. Millions of monarchs migrate from the United States and Canada south to California and Mexico for the winter, flying as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home. In spring, they breed and lay the eggs of the new generation. This starts the northern journey back to North America. Successive generations make the journey north. It is important to protect and restore habitat across their entire range. Adult monarchs need diverse nectar sources for food during all stages of the year. Caterpillars are totally dependent on their milkweed host plants (Asclepias). Inadequate milkweed or nectar plant food sources may impact the number of monarchs that successfully arrive at overwintering sites in the fall. Providing milkweed and other nectar-rich flowers that bloom where and when monarchs need them is one of the most significant actions you can take to support monarch butterfly populations.
What You Can Do for Monarch butterflies and other Pollinators:
Here is a list of Iowa native plants that are very attractive to monarch butterflies and other pollinators. A simple, native flower garden will attract beautiful butterflies to your yard and help pollinators stay healthy.
Native Plants | Iowa, Midwest, United States |
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Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Justin Meissen, Flickr
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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