Well. I became the proud adoptive mother of quadruplets. But sadly, two didn’t make it. I’m talking butterflies of course! [What did you have in mind?] Buffalo native and butterfly extraordinaire Chris Kukla filled us in. And we had no idea, none whatsoever what a fun adventure it would be!
Some people look forward to the summer as an opportunity to go to beaches. Others (especially in Western New York) like to take part in the various ethnic festivals this area has to offer. Of course there are also vacations, baseball games, picnics, family reunions and other forms of recreation that are specific to the summer months.
What I most look forward to each summer is the return of the monarch butterflies. These magnificent winged creatures begin their trek across the United States and Canada from Mexico late in the spring, where they spend the winter hibernating. After the 3000 mile journey they begin to visit fields and backyards, leaving behind tiny green eggs to allow the cycle of life to begin again.
What I most look forward to each summer is the return of the monarch butterflies. These magnificent winged creatures begin their trek across the United States and Canada from Mexico late in the spring, where they spend the winter hibernating. After the 3000 mile journey they begin to visit fields and backyards, leaving behind tiny green eggs to allow the cycle of life to begin again.
Last year I waited expectantly for my winged friends, whom many people have referred to as “God’s most amazing creatures” but they never came. My garden was prepared for their summer vacation with splendid looking milkweed (the only plant monarchs will lay their eggs on) and a variety of nectar producing flowers which are known to attract these special orange and black butterflies. June came along with Sweet William but no butterflies. July brought Verbena but no butterflies. I knew something was very wrong in the butterfly world when the Cleomes and milkweed flowers bloomed in August, yet not a single monarch had been seen in my yard.
I decided to do some research to see if this butterfly phenomena was just happening in my garden. I found an article in The New York Times: This Week (March 15, 2013) which shed some light on the mystery. Not only have the “magisterial insects been hit hard by extreme weather and farming practices” but the “monarch butterfly population in Mexico this (2012/13) winter fell to the lowest level in two decades.” I’ve learned that these low numbers of migrating monarchs may indicate a long-term decline in the monarch population.
Further research revealed that milkweed and nectar sources are declining due to development and the widespread use of herbicides in croplands, pastures and roadsides. Fields which once provided a haven for milkweed have been replaced by various housing and development projects, subdivisions, factories, shopping centers, etc. According to MONARCHWATCH.ORG, “Widespread adoption of herbicide-resistant corn and soybeans has resulted in the loss of more than 100 million acres of monarch habitat in recent years.”
The monarchs need our help in order to survive the challenges that are facing them. One of the easiest things to do to increase monarch survival rates is to plant milkweed in our own gardens to help offset the loss of the monarchs’ natural habitats. Seed pods can be found on milkweed plants in the fall and are easily planted in the spring. There are also several sites on the internet which sell milkweed plants as well as some sites which offer free milkweed seeds (e.g. LIVEMONARCH.COM).
Another way to help is to foster butterfly eggs and caterpillars. I began growing monarchs thirty-seven years ago by gathering their eggs from local fields with my children and carefully nurturing the baby monarchs through their metamorphic stages. My children are grown and on their own now but I continue to grow monarchs each year. The summer of 2014 has proven to be a bumper crop year for monarchs. I am still waiting for research to come out to explain why there are more monarchs this year then there were in 2012/13 but I am pleased to report that I have found ninety eggs in my garden this summer. Many have been placed in homes with young children in the hope that our next generation will experience the beauty and miracle of God’s creativity by observing the butterfly’s life cycle.
Another way to help is to foster butterfly eggs and caterpillars. I began growing monarchs thirty-seven years ago by gathering their eggs from local fields with my children and carefully nurturing the baby monarchs through their metamorphic stages. My children are grown and on their own now but I continue to grow monarchs each year. The summer of 2014 has proven to be a bumper crop year for monarchs. I am still waiting for research to come out to explain why there are more monarchs this year then there were in 2012/13 but I am pleased to report that I have found ninety eggs in my garden this summer. Many have been placed in homes with young children in the hope that our next generation will experience the beauty and miracle of God’s creativity by observing the butterfly’s life cycle.
Besides being my favorite part of summer, raising and protecting monarchs and observing their miraculous transformation from tiny eggs to magnificent butterflies reinforces my faith and feeds my soul. It tells me that God is alive and working in our world.
We need to do all we can to help preserve and protect the monarchs. No effort is too small or too insignificant. Please help the monarchs to continue to be one of the highlights of summer, not only for this generation but for generations to come.
We need to do all we can to help preserve and protect the monarchs. No effort is too small or too insignificant. Please help the monarchs to continue to be one of the highlights of summer, not only for this generation but for generations to come.
A native of Western New York, Chris has worked in libraries for 25 years. As a second career she took up teaching 2nd grade in the Buffalo school system. Astoundingly, she has been raising butterflies for 37 years! Mostly, she works with monarchs but has tried her hand at other types as well. We’re already looking forward to next years arrivals.
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