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Monarch
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
Family: Brushfoot (Nymphalidae)
Life History: Most noted for their annual migration from Mexico to Canada. Monarchs are also present in other parts of the world.
Range: East coast into portions of the midwest that migrates annual from Mexico to Canada. Year-round colonies in Florida and California. Limited presence in the PNW.
Forms: A white morph has been observed periodically in variation locations, with Hawaii having the highest frequency of this form. Subtle changes in appearance and size of the wings can be noted between the non-migratory and migratory generations.
Life Cycle
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Raising Monarchs
Raising Monarch caterpillars is paradoxically easy and challenging. When all goes well it can be relatively simple. The more caterpillars raised the likelihood of challenges applies.
Challenges include having enough food to feed the voraciously hungry caterpillars; disease (OE) and parasitization. Most of these challenges can be mitigated to some extent.
We have found that offering a combination of native and non-native milkweeds accomplishes our goal of nurturing caterpillars into butterflies. Nectar sources for adults also is met through a combination of native and non-native flowers.
Our methods for supporting Monarchs allows us to successfully raise 100-200 butterflies per year divided across multiple broods.
In the late summer and fall our backyard will be graced with gently gliding Monarchs flying about the yard.
Raising Tips
- Always wash leaves to remove aphids and other insects
- Don’t worry about the assortment of insects you’ll find on milkweeds. You’ll go crazy trying to remove them. Everyone co-exists in the wild without human intervention.
- You can never over feed a Monarch caterpillar, but you can most definitely under feed it.
- You can never have too much milkweed.
- Sanitize critter cages between each brood cycle.
- It’s best to keep chrysalises separate from caterpillars.
- Sometimes no matter what you do, caterpillars and chrysalises will die without any explanation. It’s all part of the way Nature works.
- During the warmest part of summer caterpillars can grow rapidly. Check on them every couple of hours to make sure they have enough food.
