Milkweed the Monarch

THE NORTH AMERICAN monarch (Danaus plexippus) population has decreased substantially since the 1980s. Though monarchs are not an endangered species, their declining numbers are a cause for concern among conservationists. The primary reason for their decline is thought to be habitat destruction, particularly the destruction of habitat for milkweed (Asclepias spp.) plants. Monarchs depend on milkweed for several vital reasons; adult monarchs feed on the nectar from the flowers, and female monarchs only lay their eggs on milkweeds, because monarch larvae won’t eat any other plant.

Monarchs are large, showy butterflies that attract a lot of interest from the general public for their famous international migration from Michoacán, Mexico, to southern Canada and back. This yearlong cycle, spanning several generations of monarchs, means that these creatures can be found throughout the country, from the northern states bordering Canada, to ever-sunny Florida, and even all the way to the Golden Coast. This wide range means that it’s easy for any gardener to make a difference;