The Life of a Monarch Butterfly

Fantastic photographs. Not seen the caterpillars before - aren't they jazzy! Butterfly migration is a great mystery - even more remarkable than bird migration. Research seems to suggest its done by relation to the earth's magnetic field - blows your mind doesn't it?

Yes it does. It's hard to comprehend. How they all get the urge to fly to Mexico at once.

They are extraordinary creatures. Great blog Paul, and (I know I've mentioned it before) there's a terrific book by Barbara Kingsolver called "Flight Behaviour" which is all about the migration of the Monarchs.

Fascinating blog, think we only get escapees from butterfly farms in the Uk. Those caterpillars look somewhat like our Mullein Moth caterpillars.

Thanks for your comments. I will certainly check out Barbara's book Sheila. Yes they are amazing creatures.

Recently, the numbers overwintering in Mexico have been fluctuating greatly. Seems like the cause of this situation can't be identified. Have you come across anything Bath?

The numbers are on the rebound. Also, not ALL Monarchs travel to Mexico. Hibernating populations have been discovered at various points along the Gulf of Mexico and along the California coast. Also, there are huge populations in South America & now in Portugal & Spain.

I feel this is good news for the Monarch Butterfly and we will be enjoying these magnificent creatures for generations to come. They key is preserving their habitat, planting milkweed. I've been starting little milkweed stands in the public parks to let them naturalize where they once were. Milkweed is a huge benefit to the environment & many other creatures as well. If you'd like to order some seeds, here is a link

http://www.everwilde.com/store/Asclepias-syriaca-WildFlower-Seed.html

Thank You Bath

This is a wonderful blog. I have always loved butterflies for their tranformational life cycles. I remember being astounded when I read that nobody knows how the caterpillar transforms in the chrysalis. I think we would assume that the change is gradual growth...but no. Apparently they disintegrate into a 'chemical soup' before they become the fly. Its absolutely incredible. The more you think about it, the more miraculous it is! :) when I was a counsellor I made a therapeutic tool using the butterfly as an metaphor for mental health. Sometimes a person who is very disturbed has to 'disintegrate' or 'break down' before they can regenerate in to a much finer, more beautiful and free-living human being. But it is always worth the pain of the effort of going through the hard work of therapy. :)

Thats a lovely illustration Karen.

There is so much wisdom in what you say Karen. I think it's a perfect analogy. I couldn't begin to explain how a caterpillar is transformed. Can we all take a lesson from this? It's almost like a rebirth.

A fascinating subject Paul nature is truly amazing , lovely photos and very well documented , thank you a brilliant Blog ...

Thank you Bathgate. Yes, I think it is a 'rebirth'.

Our butterflies are similarly adventurous Paul. They fly here from central Africa, or over from Belgium. Thousands of miles and no Satellite Navigation by human beings who cant read a map !

Thanks Amy, I'm glad you like it...the result of being snowed in all day. Karen - You've made good use of this metaphor for those less fortunate. Diane - would love to see some of your specimens.

Good for you, Paul, to spread the Asclepias. I managed to grow a few from seed last year, but they were poor specimens . . . didn't like our garden for some reason :((

Oh, I'm sorry about that Sheila. They are rather finicky plants to get started. I only got two plants from an entire packet of seeds - germination not so great. They didn't do much for the first couple of years. The third year they really took off producing masses of flowers & seed pods. They don't transplant well either. However, once established, they are care free, brilliant colors, long blooming, fragrant, excellent cut flowers. They will transplant during the first two years, before the tap root is developed. A good plan might be to plant seeds in peat pots - around 50 starts. A handful may survive the 3rd year. Then just let them self-sow. You can move them when they are small.

That's amazing Paul - you're obviously an Asclepia expert. Thanks for the useful information, but unfortunately I gave away the remainder of the seeds . . . bought in New Zealand, so I assumed that was maybe I wasn't successful. I'm having to stop myself from buying seeds this year because we'll be moving house - maybe some other time?!

It's funny when i see it growing in empty lots and road sides, yet i can't grow it on my garden-go figure.

Mmm . . . frustratingly, plants seem to know where they want to grow . . .

What a fascinating, informative blog. Thank you Paul.

LOL thanks Julia. These are fascinating creatures. I have a small patch of milkweed in my garden just for them and the caterpillars are so cute! They only stay on their own plants and won't touch anything else.

I love to see them fluttering in my yard all summer. The blog has been in head for the longest time, getting snowed in gave me a change to finally get it done. I'm glad you like it. Thanks.

I used to see them almost every year in Pacific Grove just south of Monterey (when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area). There's many spots here in Southern California...I've never seen them here, though. :>(

Asclepias curassavica or Tropical Milkweed used to be such a problems in my yard! It took me a very long time to get rid of this plant. It spread all over the neighborhood by the millions of seeds. Yikes!

Well being a Northeast boy, I'm not real familiar with California. I know it's somewhere out there, but so is Mars, lol. I've been to Yosemite Park for a camping trip. It was awesome! I'm long overdue for another trip to CA.

One Monarch sanctuary in California is Ellwood Main Monarch Grove in Goleta. Another one is 85 miles north at Pismo State Beach.

You may have better luck growing Asclepias Californica which is a California native species with purple flowers, or Asclepias Mexicana.

It must have taken you a long time to put it together, but worth the effort.

Oh?

The blog.

oh thank you.

Bathgate:

Here's a guide to Monarch butterflies in California. A few are only about a ten minute drive from my house. I'm going to check them out.

I actually loved the Tropical Milkweed. It just got too weedy. I knew the butterflies and hummingbirds loved them! Most Asclepias in San Diego become very weedy because they produce a tremendous amount of seed. They grow and flower all year here, also.

Here's the Monarch Butterfly guide for California:

http://www.monarchprogram.org/where-to-see-overwintering-monarchs/

LOL I wanna go with you, sounds like fun. You can actually order Monarch eggs and caterpillars online. Put them on the tropical milkweed or feed it to them in your house. In just one month, they will grow up and transform into beautiful butterflies you can release. They will come back and lay eggs in the tropical milkweed, keeping it under control. It's fun & exciting to see them grow and releasing them into the world.

http://butterflybushes.com/butterfly_rearing_kits.htm

Thanks for the link. I'm glad to see so many. They were so close to extinction

Come to San Diego, we can go together. :>))

I've actually seen butterfly eggs on the leaves of tropical milkweed.

Thank you! Maybe I will. My job is keeping hostage, lol, but if I can get some time off...?? That's great about the eggs.

It's funny how your job can keep you hostage, right? lol!

Yes, I'm seriously thinking of a career change, but not exactly sure to what though. I feel like it's time for a change, lol. Maybe that's why I did this blog. The caterpiller is me. Does this make sense?

It makes sense, Paul. You want wings so that you can fly anywhere?!

LOL yes

Yes, it makes a lot of sense. I can completely relate. :>)

:)

Fascinating blog thankyou Paul....

Thank you Lin, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I did too.

Hello Bathgate
What a lovely blog. It is very colourful and interesting.
It has inspired me to use one of your photos to paint the beautiful Monarch butterfly. I hope that you don't mind.
Would you like to see it ?
Marjorie

That's wonderful Marjorie! I would love to see the finished work. Thank you for your comment.

Absolutely fantastic blog Bathgate. Brilliant read! Stunning photos. Thankyou. ?

Thank you for reading it. Aren't they amazing? How do they all decided to fly to Mexico simultaneously? They actually make it there too - some from Canada.

Yes they definetly are amazing there's no two ways about that! Nature is a truely wonderful thing! ?
I tried to use one of the photos you posted on the blog for my what's app profile picture. ( the one with the blue sky in the back ground where they are all in flight), I love it! But unfortunately it didn't come out too clear on my phone when I screen shot it. Never mind ?

wonderful blog and beautiful picks
Thank you

You're welcome. Thank you :)