Monarchs and Milkweed

As spring finally begins to make its presence known with the blooming of the azaleas and redbuds here in South GA, slowly but surely making its way north so with the emergence of milkweed plants, follows the migration back northward of the monarch butterflies. After spending the winter months in the oyamel fir forests Mexico it is time for them to trek, I mean flutter, back north. These majestic (monarch meaning the King) butterflies travel back and forth through Canada, the US, and Mexico year after year, now their numbers are in danger of declining. The two biggest dangers they face is the rampant illegal logging in the forests of Mexico, their winter habitat, and the eradication of milkweed plants by insecticides used in the planting of corn in the US. The milkweed plants are where the Monarchs lay their eggs. The caterpillars that emerge then eat the milkweed, in their habitat along the migration route. There are roadways that follow the general migration route and one suggestion would have milkweed planted along the medians and highway shoulders. I might feel a bit bad thinking of the butterflies caught in the grill of my vehicle but it is an idea that might help, ironically, since the very corn that is taking away the Monarch’s natural habitat may be helping fuel my vehicle. The fact that it will take the combined efforts of 3 nations to save habitats for the Monarchs points to just how much more global things are these days. The future survival and success of the US’s most well-known butterfly, the Monarch Butterfly depends on global cooperation as will so many other things.