All articles tagged with #monarch butterflies
Preliminary experiments suggest milkweed may kill spotted lanternflies, with mortality varying by life stage and milkweed species and reaching up to 90% within 24 hours in some cases. While not a silver bullet, planting native milkweed could help manage the invasive pest by promoting predators and supporting pollinators like monarchs, offering a dual ecological benefit.
The article highlights the surprising presence and resilience of monarch butterflies in New York City, emphasizing how urban efforts like planting native milkweed and creating green spaces support their migration and survival, demonstrating that even small, local actions can significantly aid endangered species.
Former President Donald Trump appeared before three U.S. Court of Appeals judges to argue for immunity from federal prosecution related to the Jan. 6 insurrection, but the judges seemed skeptical. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer and hospitalized for complications from a procedure to remove his prostate gland. House Republicans are focused on potentially impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress. Monarch butterfly migration patterns are changing, with many staying in the U.S. instead of migrating to Mexico. Tiger Woods and Nike Golf ended their partnership, and researchers found high levels of plastic fragments in bottled water.
A group of New Yorkers, led by Robyn Elman, has been working to protect monarch butterfly habitats in Queens and the Bronx by preventing the destruction of milkweed, the only source of nutrition for monarch caterpillars. With the help of Frank Coniglio, the director of arterial highway maintenance for New York City, they have successfully convinced the city to let the plant grow wild in about 20 patches near highways. This small victory is significant in the face of habitat loss and climate change, which have reduced the monarch population by over 80% in the past 20 years. The group also engages in citizen science efforts, such as tagging monarchs, to monitor and contribute to their survival story.
Milkweed bugs can be a nuisance for homeowners who have incorporated milkweed plants in their landscape to support monarch butterflies. While these bugs typically do not cause significant damage, their sudden appearance in large numbers can be concerning. To safely deal with milkweed bugs without harming monarch caterpillars or eggs, homeowners can choose to leave them alone if they are not causing visible damage. If necessary, infestations can be removed by hand-picking the bugs and placing them in a bucket of soapy water. Using pesticides, even organic ones, should be avoided to protect the monarch population.
Whorled milkweed is a native North American wildflower that serves as a host plant for monarch butterflies. It is a perennial plant that thrives in full sun and is tolerant of various soil types. Whorled milkweed blooms later in the summer season, making it a valuable food source for migrating monarch butterflies. However, it can be aggressive, so it is recommended to plant it in containers or with native plants as a barrier. While it attracts monarch butterflies and other pollinators, it can be toxic to pets and livestock if ingested.
Aphids, specifically oleander aphids, have been found to pose a significant threat to the life cycle of monarch butterflies, according to a study by scientists from the University of Florida. These pests interfere with the development of monarch butterflies on tropical milkweed, a commonly used plant across the southern U.S. Monarchs heavily rely on milkweed for their survival, and aphid infestations compromise this resource. Efforts to sustain monarch populations through planting milkweed in urban areas may be hindered by high aphid densities. Researchers recommend considering native milkweed species or using insecticidal soap to control aphids on tropical milkweed. Further research is needed to explore pest management options that maintain low aphid levels without harming monarch butterflies.
A study from the University of Florida reveals that aphids infesting tropical milkweed, a common plant used to attract and support monarch butterflies, negatively impact the butterflies' reproduction and development. Aphid-infested plants receive fewer eggs from monarch butterflies, and the caterpillars that do hatch are slower to mature. The study suggests that aphid outbreaks compromise the availability of milkweed, a crucial resource for monarch butterflies. Native milkweed species with lower cardenolide levels, such as swamp milkweed, are recommended for home gardeners in the southern U.S. who want to conserve monarch butterflies. Insecticidal soap is an effective method to control aphids on tropical milkweed, but alternative pest management options that are safe for monarch butterflies are being explored.
A new study by University of Georgia researchers suggests that monarch butterflies with more white spots on their wings are better at reaching their long-distance wintering destination in Mexico. The researchers analyzed nearly 400 wild monarch wings collected at different stages of their journey and found that the successful migrant monarchs had about 3% less black and 3% more white on their wings. The coloring is related to the amount of light and heat they receive during their journey, and more white spots mean less exposure to the sun’s radiation.
The population of monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico's Michoacán state has dropped by 22% in just one year due to climate change and habitat loss. The species was entered into the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species as "endangered" in 2022. Loss of habitat in Mexico is leading many of these eastern monarch butterflies to winter instead along the West Coast of the United States. Restoring monarch habitats and slowing down global warming is critical to protect the species and the unique migratory phenomenon in nature.