Monarchs: Our Beloved Butterflies
Introduction
Monarchs, with their striking orange and black wings, are a beloved sight in gardens everywhere. But these beautiful butterflies are in trouble. Their populations have been declining all over, including in Michigan.
The Importance of Monarchs
Monarchs are important pollinators. They help plants reproduce by carrying pollen from one flower to another. This helps to create new plants and food for other animals.
Monarchs also have an amazing migration journey. They travel thousands of miles between Mexico and the rest of North America every year.
Why Monarchs Are Declining
There are many factors that have contributed to the decline of monarch populations. One major factor is climate change. Changes in the climate in the butterflies’ breeding areas have caused their numbers to drop.
Another major factor is the use of herbicides and pesticides on farms. These chemicals kill milkweed, which is the only plant that monarch butterflies use to lay their eggs and feed their caterpillars.
How to Help Monarchs
There are many things we can do to help monarch butterflies. One of the most important things is to plant native plants in our gardens. Native plants provide food and shelter for monarchs and other pollinators.
We can also avoid using herbicides and pesticides in our gardens. These chemicals can kill monarch butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Creating a Monarch-Friendly Garden
If you want to attract monarch butterflies to your garden, there are a few things you can do:
- Plant milkweed. This is the only plant that monarch butterflies use to lay their eggs and feed their caterpillars.
- Plant other native flowers that attract butterflies. Some good choices include black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, and coreopsis.
- Plant flowers in groups. This makes it easier for pollinators to find them.
- Avoid using herbicides and pesticides. These chemicals can kill monarch butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Conclusion
Monarchs are beautiful and important butterflies. By taking steps to help them, we can ensure that these amazing creatures continue to grace our gardens for years to come.
Additional Information
- The Monarch Joint Venture is a non-profit organization that works to conserve monarch butterflies and their habitats.
- The Xerces Society is another non-profit organization that works to protect pollinators.
- You can find more information about monarch butterflies and how to help them on the websites of these organizations.
