BTOC ECO NEWS BE PART OF THE EFFORT TO SAVE THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY

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1 BTOC ECO NEWS November 2015 In this months issue of BTOC ECO NEWS we look at the colourful M onarch Bu tterfly, its truly incredible annual migration, issues affecting its survival and what you can do to help a wonderful part of the w orld around us. BE PART OF THE EFFORT TO SAVE THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY Monarch butterflies are flitting toward trouble. The number of these beautiful insects, who each year perform incredible 4,800 kilometer one-way migrations across North America, are at a record low. Their migrations, which have been called one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the world", take place in March - July when they travel from overwintering sites in central Mexico to several areas in Southern Ontario and again in late September - November when they complete a return journey. An important region in this migration cycle is along the shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie where the distinctive orange-and-black Monarchs breed, lay their eggs and the new generation prepares for their southward journey. From here the Monarch butterfly migrates to wintering sites in central Mexico where they spend the winter. In the late winter or early spring, the adult Monarchs leave their wintering sites in central Mexico and begin the journey north. Mating occurs and the females seek out m ilkweed to lay their eggs, usually in northern Mexico and southern Texas. The caterpillars hatch and develop into adults that continue the northern journey. As they travel

2 northward, this second generation of Monarchs again mate and lay their eggs in the central states such as Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. The resulting third generation contin ue the journ ey no rthw ard in to sou thern Cana da ar riving in late spr ing or e arly sum mer. female Monarch butterfly feeding on clover pollen male Monarch butterfly identified by the small black dots on the wings Here, once again, the life cycle occurs and the result is a fourth generation of Monarchs. In the fall, this so called Super Generation will complete the migration south to Mexico in just one leg, mainly because of the generally high winds associated with the jet stream that helps carry them rapidly towards the mountains in central Mexico. This negates the need for the many mid-flight mating cycles seen on the northward migration. The Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly in Southern Ontario: female Monarch laying eggs on milkweed plant Monarch egg on underside of milkweed leaf closeup view of Monarch butterfly egg Monarch butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle - the egg, the caterpillar (larvae), the chrysalis (pupa) and the adult butterfly. The eggs are laid on the underside of the leaves of milkweed plants where in about four days they hatch into bab y caterp illars. emerging from egg newly hatched full grown feeding on milkweed leaf

3 The baby caterpillar doesn t do much more than eat the milkweed in order to grow. After about two weeks, the caterpillar will be fully-grown and can start a wonderful process know n as metamorphosis. It will attach itself to a stem or a leaf using silk and transform into a chrysalis. The chrysalis phase lasts about 10 days during which the body parts of the caterpillar undergo a remarkable transformation to become the beautiful parts that make up the adult butterfly that will soon emerge. attaching itself to leaf rib using silk transformed into a chrysalis (also called a cocoon) undergoing metamorphasis inside the chrysalis adult Monarch emerging from chrysalis Monarch butterfly, on a milkweed seed pod, drying its wings in the morning sun Monarchs preparing for their migration south to Mexico The adult Monarc h butterfly will emerg e (often in the m orning ) and hang from the split chrysalis for several hours until its wings are dry. Meanwhile, orangey fluid (called meconium) is pumped into its crinkled wings until they become full and stiff and it can move around the plant as it accustom s itself to the world arou nd it. Finally, (usually in the afternoon ), the Monarc h spreads its wings, quivers them to be sure they are stiff, and then flies away to feed on a variety of flowers, including milkweed flowers, red clover, cone flower and goldenrod, to build its strength until it is ready to begin its wonderful migration southward.

4 The monarch butterfly is listed as a Species of Special Concern in Ontario due to a large decline in its pop ulation over the past several years. This decline is due to several factors, including deforestation, more severe weather and less milkweed found in the regions of Southern Ontario. The milkweed plant commonly grows in fields and open spaces, but increasing development and use of herbicides have taken a serious toll on it. This is where you can become a part of the drive to help the Monarch. Simply by planting milkweed in your yard, flower or vegetable gardens, on your decks or balconies and in other open areas you can increase the available habitat for these mag nificent butterflies. Monarchs lay their eggs only on m ilkweed and their caterp illars eat it. M ilkweed is the monarch s only food plant and it is crucial to their survival. the Common Milkweed with pale mauve flowers Butterfly Milkweed in full bloom pink flowers adorn Swamp Milkweed Monarchs are keen on several Milkweed varieties native to southern Ontario. But milkweed suffers from a branding issue, that word weed in its name. While fussy gardeners might consider it undesirable, in fact it has a beautiful flow er and, in addition to its worthy butterfly saving qualities, is a lovely late summer flowering plant. Common m ilkweed (asclepias syriaca) has a pale mauve flower, swamp milkweed (asclepias incarnata) is pink-flowered and butterfly milkweed (asclepias tuberosa) has lovely orange flowers. Milkweed is an upright, 100- to 150-centimeter (39- to 59-inches) tall plant, growing from thick, fleshy, white roots. Typically, its stems are branched and the clump forming plants emerge in late spring after most other plants have begun growth for the year. The oppositely arranged leaves are 7 to 15 centimeters (2.75 to 6 inches) long and are narrow and lance-shaped, with tapered ends. The plants bloom in early to mid-sum mer, p roducing small, fragrant flowers in rounded um bels. After blooming, green seed pods, approximately 12 centimeters (4.5 inches) long, are produced that when ripe, split open. They then release light to dark

5 brown, flat seeds that are attached to silver-white silky-hairs that are ideal for catching the wind. But just planting milkweed will not save the Monarch. Adult butterflies do not eat milkweed, but rather require pollen from several flowering plants. Purple or yellow cone flowers, sunflowers, marigolds, poppies, cosm os, salvias, asters, daisies, verb enas, the butterfly bush (also ca lled buddleia) and zinnias are comm only found in flower gardens throughout Southern Ontario WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP SAVE THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY? The simple answer... PLANT MILKWEED SEEDS Fall is the best season to plant milkweed seeds because they require a process known as cold stratification which is a period of prolonged, moist cold that helps the seeds to germinate. The best time of year to plant milkweed seeds in Ontario is from very late October thru to the end of November. To plant the seeds: 1. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 6 inches and clear away any mulch or rocks which could potentially block the growth of a small seedling. 2. Water the area thoroughly and let it saturate the soil. 3. Put on garden gloves and stick your index finger in the dirt to a depth of about 1 inch. 4. Place a seed in the hole and cover the seed with the already-moist soil. 5. Repeat this process for each seed you are planting. To space between holes use the length of your index finger to approximate the distance needed between holes. 6. If you like put a few inches of leaf mulch over the entire area to keep the soil from drying out. B.T.O.C. s Eco Committee has a limited amount of seeds available which we will provide FREE on a 1 st come - 1 st served basis. To get your seeds just fill out the form on the following page and return it to the school. We will arrange to send the seeds home with your child.

6 BTOC - MILKWEED SEED ORDER FORM I would like to plant some milkweed to help save the Monarch Butterfly. (Family Name) (Home Phone Num ber) (Child s Name) (Child s Teacher) (Parent s Signature) (Date) For Eco Club use only: Date Received Date Seeds Sent Sender s Name