There is no denying butterflies are amazing little creatures. They are inspirational symbols of transformation and rebirth, They show us the good in endurance, change, hope and life. We see them used everywhere and after experiencing raising a few myself, I understand why even deeper. I am thankful I was reconnected with Sandy to learn more about Monarch butterflies.
Sandy is a women who inspires me with her gentleness and love for nature. We first met when I was a young teenager, but recently got reconnected on social media. I enjoy seeing her posts about her garden and indoor plants and was intrigued when I saw a picture of her with a monarch butterfly (photo above).
I thought it so cool that a butterfly would also take notice of her gentleness and rest there. Then she told me she had raised that butterfly and offered to help me learn how.
She has been raising monarch caterpillars for 4 years. She told me that she had been looking for eggs but with no luck. One day her grandson, who she thinks was just the right height, spotted one while they were searching together. Now they work together to care for them every summer.
Monarch butterflies are known as the king of the butterfly. Migrating in mass number to Mexico every year, but that number is estimated to be down 1 billion since 1990. So in my exact lifespan, the butterflies have become endangered.
What is causing Monarch butterflies to Vanish?
- Climate Change- Warmer weather in early spring is causeing the butterflies to migrate north before the milkweed plant (the only plant it eats) have had time to grow.
- Increased agriculture has almost completely wiped out the milkweed plant.
- Increased use of weed resistant materials and herbicide further deters the milkweed plants from growth.
The Monarch Butterfly Life Span
The average life span of a Monarch Butterfly is 30 days. Starting from an Egg and moving through from Larva, to Pupa, to the beautiful orange and black butterfly we know and love. So how long does each stage last and what exactly is happening?
Egg 3-4 days
Female Monarch butterflies usually lay one single egg on the bottom of a milkweed leaf closer to the top of the plant. This egg will last 3-4 days until it becomes the larva
Larva (10-14 days)
The Larva begins its life by eating the shell of its egg, then starts to eat the milkweed leaves. And eat, and eat and eat and eat. throughout this time the caterpillar grows and sheds its skin 5 times. Once the caterpillar has reached around 1 inch long, it climbs to the underside of a leaf or the top of a butterfly cage and begins to prepare for the pupa stage.
The caterpillar weaves a silk “hook” and uses its last legs to hold to this and then lets go and flips upside down into the shape of a J. Over the next day it slowly pushes its old skin off for the 5th and final time. Under the caterpillars skin this time is a jade green casing which is called a chrysalis. Inside the chrysalis, which is only about an inch long, the caterpillar will miraculously transform into a beautiful butterfly.
Pupa or Chrysalis (10-14 days)
Inside the chrysalis, which is only about an inch long, the caterpillar will miraculously transform into a beautiful butterfly. After only 10-14 days, the butterfly will emerge with only 3 pair of legs as opposed to the 8 as a caterpillar. The mouth for munching leaves will transform into a probiscus for reaching deep into flowers for nectar. Large eyes will replace the small ones of the caterpillar and reproductive organs will form
Adult Butterfly
The main goal of the adult butterflies is to reproduce. Just 5-7 days after emerging from the chrysalis, the butterfly is ready to do just this. Adult butterflies live only 3 weeks.
During the early parts of summer the butterflies will reproduce and lay eggs on the milkweed. Butterflies that come to reproductive age in late August to October, will store up energy from nectar and migrate to Mexico. They will stay there until the milkweed season arrives back to Texas in February and slowly migrate north with the plants.
What Can You Do to Help the Monarch Butterfly?
- Don’t use herbicides or pesticides in your garden
- Allow milkweed to grow or plant some in a designated area of your yard
- Do your part to fight climate change
- Avoid genetically engineered food
- Spread the word and get others helping
- Create a Butterfly Waystation. Learn how here
Thank you for reading. Want to hear about more woman who inspire me, visit last months New England Wildflower post
Remember, Keep Blooming! ~Bekah