Learn about our Amazing Monarchs! ~ Bette A. Stevens http://www.4writersandreaders.com
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Have you ever seen one of these? It’s a Monarch Butterfly. Every spring, millions fly from Mexico and southern California to other parts of the US and southern Canada. And every autumn, they fly back. On the first of November, called the Day of the Dead, people celebrate the return of the monarchs to the mountainous fir forests of Central Mexico.
But their numbers are dropping. In 1997, there were 150 million. Last year there were only 60 million. One problem is the gradual sterilization of American farmlands thanks to powerful herbicides like Roundup. Monarch butterfly larvae eat a plant called milkweed. But the amount of this plant in Iowa, for example, has dropped between 60% and 90% over the last decade.
And this year was much worse for the monarchs. They came late to Mexico… and I think only 3 million have been seen so far! That’s a…
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Comments on: "Monarch Butterflies" (10)
I love the monarchs. They migrate over Long Island sound where I used to sail. I remember once looking up and seeing the entire mainsail covered in Monarch butterflies. They are gorgeous and amazing.
I enjoy them all summer in my garden.
Oh, Bette, this is soooooooooo sad! I adore the Monarchs and saw only a handful of them this year. What a tragedy!!!!! Natalie :(
Same here on all counts, Natalie. This summer I only had a handful flitting around here, too. 2012 there were hundreds, dozens a day from June through August. I purposely nurture milkweed in my flower and vegetable gardens and will continue to do so. I’m sure that chemicals have a lot to do with their demise. Hopefully they’ll find lots of chemical-free milkweed as many more gardeners become aware of the plight of these amazing monarchs! Thanks, Bette
I hope so too. I know I’ll be planting some for sure! :)
The more milkweed the merrier the monarchs! <3
Had just one visit me late summer this year
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and stay safe as all the weather blows through.
It was very disheartening, not seeing the hundreds of beauties I gazed at the summer before… Blessings to you and yours at Thanksgiving and every day, Eunice!
XO Right back at you and yours Bette. It was a sad summer in deed without those beauties
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