"Premier Marvel of Nature: The Monarch Butterfly"

By Bernie Schunicht

Once again, every year we are treated to the marvels of the monarch butterfly, a not so simple insect with an astounding life cycle story. Sadly, few know it and many are unknowingly or unwittingly oblivious. I would like to fill that void with knowledge that will fascinate you as it has me since my youth.

There are two populations of monarchs: those in west coast California and those of rest of north America. This article is about the latter; the ones we see here east of the Rockies. Four generations make up the life cycle starting in March with those leaving their sanctuaries in oyamel fir forests of Mexico where they overwinter for five months. Watch this video (https://fstoppers.com/documentary/drone-disguised-hummingbird-captures-incredible-footage-monarch-butterfly-swarm-480714) as they awaken to begin their return. They return north in three successive five-week generational waves. The fourth generation reaching northern US and even Canada by September. Then a most astounding feat begins. In late September and early October that fourth generation begins a perilous and truly remarkable 2000+ migratory flight back to Mexico to overwinter five to six months before starting the next life cycle.

As they deploy northward, monarchs lay eggs exclusively on milkweed plants. There caterpillars hatch and devour plant leaves for 10-14 days before reaching adulthood. Then then crawl to a safe place to pupate into chrysalises from which the butterfly emerges after 10-14 days of metamorphosis (story at: http://www.monarchs-and-milkweed.com/Monarch%20Life%20Cycle.htm) – a fascinating product of our creator.

Nowadays, there are seven sanctuaries for the Monarch butterflies, four of which are in Ocampo, Angangueo, Zitacuaro and Contepec, in the state of Michoacan. In 1986, the Mexican government created the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve) to protect 62-square miles of forests within these four separate sanctuaries. The Biosphere Reserve was expanded to include 217 square miles in 2000.

But all is not well! in the last 20 years, the population of monarch butterflies in the eastern U.S. has declined by 90 percent, notably 14.8 percent over just last year. Multiple threats: degradation of their Mexican mountain forest habitat, rapid loss of milkweed habitat in their central flyway, the increased use of pesticides and other toxic chemicals, and impacts from climate change will eventually decimate this treasure of nature.

What can we all do to stem this travesty? Well, obviously use less poison on plants. Stop destroying wild milkweed patches. Grow flowers like zinnias, to feed the butterflies. Better yet, plant the orange milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) to both feed adults and caterpillars. Lastly raise awareness and tell others the monarch story. Then if interested, join the monarch watch program at https://monarchwatch.org/.

For all the latest news and information, don't forget to join the East Hills Home Owners Association Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EHHOA/