Once again the call is going out; however, this time the call is for people to collect the seeds of the milkweed pods. This request is being made to save the monarch butterfly. The Heritage Garden Club, of Troy, sent an e-mail to its members informing them that the University of Kansas wanted all garden club members to collect milkweed seeds. The seeds will then be sent to the university to be planted. In the spring, the seedling plugs will be returned to be planted in the same areas the seeds came from.
There are many reasons for the monarch’s decline. During the summer of 2012, a drought and an excessive heat wave that plagued the center of the country resulted in low reproduction. This was followed by the cold spring of 2013, in which the first generation, of monarchs, was slow to develop, resulting in a late migration northward. The low winter numbers, cold spring temperatures and delayed spring migration meant that fewer monarchs entered the northern breeding grounds in June of 2013. Summer monarchs were scarce, with many not seen until July and even the beginning of August. Those checking milkweed plants saw very few monarch eggs, which was evidence of low reproduction. The final result came during this past winter when the population of monarchs, in the southern migration forests, plunged to 90% below the peak in 1996.
During the breeding season, the monarch butterfly cycles through three to five generations. Only the last generation migrates to Mexico. The monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the milkweed plant; however, the milkweed habitat has been greatly reduced due to new agricultural practices. Milkweed plants are being eradicated from corn and soybean fields by the use of herbicides on GMO’s (genetically modified crops). More acres are being planted in herbicide-tolerant corn to meet the increased demand for bio-fuels.
The monarchs migrate to a unique forest habitat, in central Mexico, where the butterfly depends on the forest microclimate to survive the winter. The entire population over winters together in a small region. The fact that the monarchs concentrate in one area for the winter makes the entire population vulnerable to a single storm, fire or disease.
Illegal logging continues to threaten and shrink the monarch’s forest, which disrupts its delicate microclimate. Humans and monarchs have been competing for the food, water, shelter and space of this forest.
The final challenge for the monarch is the risky migration. On each day of this migration, the monarch must find the correct habitat, especially the milkweed plant, to survive. With the decline of the milkweed, the monarch population is in a serious decline. Three conservation organizations have asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the monarch as a threatened species. Although this threatened species status would allow federal officials more leeway to help the population rebuild, the status would not be as restrictive as an endangered species status.
New Jersey legislators are proposing to strengthen the migrating population by passing two bills that would allow groups to plant the milkweed along the roadsides, creating butterfly way stations.
The milkweed plant has been controversial, with many debates held on whether it’s a weed or a desirable plant. Without a doubt, the milkweed has an unquestionable heroic place in American history.
If you or your group would like to take part in this program, collect at least ½ ounce of milkweed seeds; label as to the type (in our area the common milkweed is the most prevalent); allow seeds to dry for a day and then send the packet of seeds to the Monarch Watch, 2021 Constanct Ave, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047