The Monarch Butterfly: Species and Habitat Information

The Monarch Butterfly ( Danaus Plexippus) is the most majestic and noble of insects. Weighting in at only half a gram, it manages to fight the elements to travel thousands of miles in it's migrations South to Mexico, and West to Southern California. According to Monarchwatch.com, the Monarch spends the winter months hibernating in Eucalyptus and Oyameal Fir trees. Migration usually takes place from August through October of each year.

The female Monarch lays her eggs along the migratory route, on the underside of milkweed plant leaves. The tiny yellow eggs take approximately 2 weeks to develop into a caterpillar. When the Caterpillar sheds it's skin or the final time, it has entered the pupal stage. The caterpillar, at first, looks like a huge green water droplet, that slowly changes shape and color, until the outer layer hardens into a beautiful emerald case with golden specks, called the Chrysalis. After about 2 weeks, the Chrysalis becomes transparent and you can begin to see the Monarch through it.

The Monarch butterfly is poisonous. They get their poison (cardenalide glycosides) from eating the milkweed plant while in it's Caterpillar stage.

As stated on Monarchwatch.com, in 1986, the Mexican Government created the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve which protects roughly 220 square miles of habitat within four separate sanctuaries. Although logging of these areas was outlawed when the reserve was created, much of the residents of Mexico, still depend on logging to sustain them and their families. Unable to find adequate work elsewhere, many of the residents continue logging in these restricted areas. Illegal logging remains a problem today. Loggers arrive in the middle of the night with 100 or more trucks, fully equipped to cut an area of about 22 acres in a single night. By the time the authorities are notified, the damage is already done.

Although the Mexican Government, along with many other foundations and programs, are doing their very best to stop illegal logging, and protect the Monarch habitats, deforestation remains a huge problem. Deforestation could affect pollination and food chains, not to mention, taking the oxygen out of the very air we breathe. Pesticides and herbicides have also played a huge part in destroying habitat.

The United States is loosing an average of 6,000 acres a day to subdivisions and other new developments. We are selfishly consuming wildlife's natural habitat, and causing our own demise. I say selfishly, because none of us actually NEED huge homes with a four car garage, when we own only one car and live alone. We don't NEED big, when little will do. Bigger is not always better. See Monarchwatch.com for more information.

We can help provide habitat, and breeding grounds, for the Monarch butterfly, by planting milkweed. Caterpillars (larvae) of the Monarch, eat only milkweed, as it contains every nutrient vital to its survival. Adults feed on nectar, water and juices from fruits and berries. To attract he Monarch, and many other beautiful butterflies, plant Autumn Joy Sedum, Pineapple Sage, Bee Balm, Joe Rye weed, and Columbine in your flower garden.

Many of us are totally unaware of the damage we do to our environment on a daily basis. It seems as though the destruction of our forests, reduction in fresh water, increased greenhouse gasses, and endangerment of wildlife species isn't enough to tell us we are doing something wrong. Most ignore the signs, thinking they are just scare tactics used by our government, for what ever reasons. What if it's not just scare tactics? What if there is really something to what the experts say? By the time we find out what the truth really is, it will be to late. We need to band together as a nation, to save what we can, not only for the Monarch Butterfly, but for future generations.