Timothy Hoeft, Huntley Village President, read the Mayor’s Monarch Butterfly Pledge Day Proclamation at the board meeting this February 22.
The pledge was to “…encourage residents and Village staff to take steps to increase the planting of milkweed and nectar plants to preserve and strengthen the monarch butterfly population.”
Known for its bright orange colors and incredible annual migration, the migratory monarch butterfly is now classified as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Scientists estimate that the species’ population has dropped between 20% and 90% over the last several decades.
President of Sun City’s Sunflower Garden Charter Club, Paulette Carrion, said, “It is the most recognizable butterfly. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of milkweed, the only host plant for this iconic butterfly species. The milkweed is critical for the survival of monarchs. Without it, they cannot complete their life cycle, and the population declines.”
Carrion has an extensive background in gardening. Although she is not currently active, she is a master gardener. She was active for over ten years at the Park Ridge Garden Club, where she started.
The loss of milkweed in agricultural fields across the U.S. is a significant cause of the decline in monarchs. Pesticides have devastated milkweed abundance in much of the Corn Belt and the Central Valley.
Carrion said, “Using glyphosate on farms and surrounding areas to control the weeds also eradicates milkweed. Without milkweed, the monarchs cannot survive.”
You can plant milkweed directly outdoors. If you are starting your seeds indoors, you should begin growing the plant for four to eight weeks before moving them outside. Milkweed is vital for the monarch’s life cycle. It’s the only plant monarch caterpillars eat. These caterpillars hatch from eggs laid on the plant before consuming its leaves. Bit don’t plant just any kind of milkweed. The key is to plant milkweed native to the midwest. Planting non-native types of milkweed risks monarch butterfly health.
Carrion said, “Our growing region has three common types of milkweeds. Common Milkweed, or A.syriaca, grows five to six feet tall and has highly fragrant flowers. It is aggressive and spreads rapidly from underground runners; it can overtake your garden. Swamp Milkweed, A.incarnata, grows in damp to wet soil and is good as a garden plant for its fragrant, small pink to mauve flowers. It grows three to five feet tall and plays well with other garden plants. Butterfly Milkweed, A.tuberosa, is best for the home garden. It is very attractive to monarchs due to its color, copious nectar production, and its leaves, which feed the larva. It grows two to three feet tall, and its flowers are orange.”
You can purchase seeds from local nurseries or order online. Carrion said, “We know milkweed is the only food source for monarchs, but not every milkweed variety is suitable for our Midwest ecosystem. You can’t go wrong if you choose Swamp or Butterfly Milkweed.”
