Bright orange and black wings flutter by on the journey that defies all odds.
Bright orange and black wings flutter by on the journey that defies all odds. Monarch butterflies born in the fall must fly about 3,000 miles to reach their overwintering ground in Mexico. These native insects are under threat from many different hazards, and their numbers are declining. One of the best ways we can support monarchs, and other native insects, is by providing them with appropriate food sources.
Conservationists at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia stress the importance of planting native species in your home garden to support native wildlife, such as the monarch butterfly.
“Adult monarch butterflies need native, nectar-producing powerhouse plants, especially during their spring and fall migrations,” said Will Rogers, the garden’s conservation research professional. “These native plant species, also known as keystone species, are critical in supporting our native pollinators and ecosystems. They can be sourced from a variety of genera, including but not limited to Phlox, Symphyotrichum (Aster), Rudbeckia, Penstemon, Monarda and many others.”
In December 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service submitted a proposal to list the monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, due to significant loss of the North American population since the 1980s.
Read More: University of Georgia
Photo Credit: Jo1394 via Pixabay
