How everyone can help monarch butterflies

Visualize a butterfly with its bright orange and black wings. Monarchs, one of North America’s most iconic butterflies, are facing extinction due to a decline in the milkweed plant, which their caterpillars feed on. The amount of milkweed in North America has decreased significantly, with a 95 percent drop in Illinois since 1997.

Planting milkweed in home gardens can have a positive impact. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution on July 31 revealed that even small city gardens can attract monarchs and provide a suitable habitat for their caterpillars.

Monarchs are known for their impressive migration patterns, traveling from Mexico to Canada and back. They rely on milkweed plants along their migration path. However, years of pesticide use have reduced the availability of milkweed, putting the monarch population at risk.

In a recent study, researchers monitored urban milkweed plants for butterfly eggs to understand how city gardens can support monarch populations. They found that even urban spaces with concrete and asphalt can accommodate milkweed plants, with rooftops, alleyways, and small yards being suitable locations.

Over 400 community scientists in the Chicagoland area were trained to monitor milkweed plants for monarch activity. The study collected data from 2020-2022, showing that common milkweed was a key species for attracting monarchs. Older, established milkweed plants were more likely to attract eggs than younger plants. Additionally, having a variety of blooming plants in the garden helped butterflies lay more eggs on milkweed.

While year-round gardens with native milkweed are ideal for supporting monarch populations, any effort to plant milkweed can make a difference. Individuals should choose plant species that work best for their garden to help protect these iconic butterflies.

It is crucial to note that while monarchs are just a species of insect, they serve as an indicator of the health of the ecosystems they inhabit.

“Because they traverse a vast landscape from Mexico to Canada, monarchs play a significant role in reflecting the conditions across a large area,” stated Hasle. “Monarchs require many of the same resources as other insects, such as blooming flowers, so what benefits monarchs also benefits other pollinators. With the ongoing global decline in insect populations, it is essential to provide assistance.”

[Related: Help monarch butterflies by safely adding milkweed to your outdoor spaces.]