Detailed information on Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

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VooDooU

Yankton, SD | August 2017 | Positive

To the previous comment about Cynanchum, you are partially correct, this is from an article on the subject and I will link the article as well. "Black and pale swallow-worts should not be confused with Cynanchum laeve (common names sandvine, honeyvine, bluevine milkweed, and smooth swallow-wort), a similar plant that is native to eastern and central U.S. states and Ontario. C. laeve is an appropriate monarch host". Here is the entire article [[email protected]]
In my Monarch Facebook group honeyvine is becoming a favorite for those in the correct zones :)

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coriaceous

ROSLINDALE, MA | March 2016 | Positive

There's an invasive milkweed relative called swallow wort (Cynanchum), increasingly common here, that monarchs will lay their eggs on in preference to the true milkweeds. Unlike milkweeds, the swallow worts (black swallow wort, Cynanchum louisae, and pale swallow wort, Cynanchum rossicum) will not support the growth of the larvae.

These are among the nastiest of weeds, and are among the most serious threats to our wild areas and wildlife, second only to land development.

There are easy, beautiful, and well-behaved native milkweeds that will support monarchs in our gardens, especially butterfly weed (A. tuberosa) and swamp milkweed (A. incarnata). Both are easy and ornamental clump-formers, unlike the homely common milkweed, which spreads by a deep running rh... read more

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nan7valleys

Seven Valleys, PA | January 2015 | Positive

RE: Opposed to Putting Monarch Butterfly on Endangered Species List

To my friends who understand my passion for gardening and fight against herbicides:

Milkweed should be on the endangered species list - not Monarchs! PLEASE BE AWARE -- if this ruling is approved, schools and backyard gardeners like myself would be restricted from collecting and protecting eggs and cocoons. After much research and reading over the last two years, especially Fast Track Butterfly Gardening by Rose Franklin, I have nurtured a plot of milkweed plants, (and host plants for other species), increased my number of nectar plants, successfully reared 17 Monarchs out of 17 eggs on my first attempt, ( a success rate unachievable in the wild) and developed interest and excitement in numer... read more

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Chillybean

(Zone 5a) | August 2014 | Neutral

This year we are seeing more Monarchs than ever. Maybe because people are becoming more aware of their needs and are helping them along?? One thing that will help this butterfly is NOT plant a butterfly bush. This only feeds the adults, but it is not suitable for their caterpillars. Plant milkweed. It doesn't have to be Common, there are different varieties that are not quite as enthusiastic about spreading. And do not spray the plants even if you see other bugs on them.

We have plenty of Common Milkweed in our pasture, but adult Monarchs will also feed on our Blazing Stars.

Why the neutral rating among all the positives? They are nice and yes, they need our help, but I find other butterflies equally as fascinating. :)

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tlm1

Jacksonville, FL (Zone 9a) | August 2012 | Positive

I so miss having these in my garden! All of my Milkweeds have gone due to changes in the gardens, and they have certainly been the "GO TO" for the Monarchs…They will be one of the first additions back into the new bed!

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napolemj

Winter Garden, FM (Zone 9b) | December 2009 | Positive

I'm a bit confused. I have been raising 6 Monarch larvae since early December (they are now in their pupa stage), and I am positive these are Monarchs and not Queens. I had always read that Monarchs leave Central Florida for the Mexican fir forests by winter. Why are there still Monarchs here?

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LouC

Desoto, TX (Zone 8a) | July 2009 | Positive

Some time ago, Oct. 2005, I witnessed a miracle. Standing in my backyard near dusk I noticed something falling from the sky (?) like leaves. Stood very still and watched as literally thousands of Monarchs decended and covered everything in my yard and my neighbors yard. Began to call for others to come look and be very respectful as we were standing on Holy Ground. This was before I had any kind of flower or host plants. They were just resting as they traveled to Marioposa, Mexico. Too much to expect it to ever happen again.

Christi

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SusanLouise

Lincoln, NE (Zone 5b) | January 2009 | Positive

I watched the fall migration of the Monarch on Sept 24th 2008...I counted 131 Monarchs fly over our house....I was in complete awe! :)

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rampbrat

Abilene, TX (Zone 7b) | August 2008 | Positive

We're on their migration route (through West Central TX) in the fall. When my sons were young and played soccer, I was often distracted from the games by the 100' s of monarchs in the air. I try to keep fall flowers in the yard, like mums,coreopsis, and asters just for the monarchs.

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twopuppies

Chester, IL | May 2008 | Positive

Seems early, I have no milkweed but had a female monarch the last three days in April- a well worn female feeding on henbit flowers- ws still there(or another one) first couple days of may!

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aggscott

Wilkes Barre, PA (Zone 6a) | April 2008 | Positive

What a great butterfly these are! My favorite! I released over 200 healthy Monarchs last year and tagged over 50 of them.

Help the Monarchs and plant Milkweed

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Malus2006

Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | February 2008 | Positive

Tend to pop up here about July in Minnesota and hang around until the first frost. Never interested in the Swamp Milkweed that I have growing in my yard.

Here's some interesting facts - In the 1840s they were found in Hawaii, then 1850s through 1860s they were found on most South Pacific Islands, then in the early 1870s they were found on Australia and New Zealand. Interesting to know - they most likely were aided by humans - also milkweed have been spreading throughout Australia and New Zealand from North America. Recently they have been found in the Canary Islands and West Europe.

Host Plants of the Monarch Butterfly
Northern Portion of Range - Eastern United States.
(I'm trying to find information on host plants in Western North America - on... read more

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mamapajama

Poughkeepsie, NY | April 2007 | Positive

These butterflies are lovely ! My son and I raised some from caterpilars last summer, we can't wait to do this again. Thinking of tagging the released butterflies to track them Please leave any milkweed plants in your garden -only plant the cats will eat. Interesting fact -you can tell a male Monarch from a female by the presence of 2 black dots on the wings.

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blossombloom

Griffin, GA | December 2006 | Positive

The Monarchs I've seen around here are huge. Is this the same or a different kind? I adore all butterflies. Over the summer we half screened our porch, (not on purpose mind you) and you should have seen all the butterflies that I had to rescue and let them fly away out of the palm of my hand. I was very careful because their wings are very fragile and will tear if touched. I am happy to say that there was no injuries in the process of the mission.

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Marilynbeth

Hebron, KY | November 2006 | Positive

I'm always thrilled to see a Monarch Butterfly and its Cats. Beautiful!

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Sheila965

Rincon, GA (Zone 8a) | October 2006 | Positive

I've got one Monarch that visits my butterfly bushes daily. She seems to love the light purple ones!

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plantladyhou

Katy, TX (Zone 8b) | September 2006 | Positive

I raise Butterfly weed just for the Monarchs and their caterpillers. The plants are unobtrusive but the butterflies are a joy. Their offspring aren't hurting anything and I will not allow them to be killed. The butterfly weed quickly grows back and the cycle is repeated.

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Joan

Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) | July 2006 | Neutral

The monarch butterfly is sometimes called the milkweed butterfly because its larvae eat the plant. In fact, milkweed is the only thing the larvae can eat!

Adult female monarchs lay their eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves. These eggs hatch, depending on temperature, in three to twelve days.

The larvae feed on the plant leaves for about two weeks and develop into caterpillars about 2 inches long.

After awhile, the caterpillars attach themselves head down to a convenient twig, they shed their outer skin and begin the transformation into a pupa (or chrysalis), a process which is completed in a matter of hours.

The pupa resembles a waxy, jade vase and becomes increasingly transparent as the process progresses. The caterpillar co... read more

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okus

(Zone 8b) | July 2006 | Positive

Above bright burnt-orange with black veins and black margins sprinkled with white dots. Below paler duskier orange.

The similar Viceroy is smaller with shorter wings. The Queen and Tropic Queen are browner and smaller.

Monarch

Danaus plexippus

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