For those of you who have subscribed to our blog, thank you! It’s been a while since I’ve written and I wanted to share a few thoughts with you as summer rolls on and fall is just around the bend.
For us here in Olathe, Kansas, we have had a drought of Monarch butterflies for almost all of June and July. I don’t think I saw a single Monarch until we traveled across Missouri this July. Thankfully, since the beginning of August, I’ve seen two or three flying through our backyard. A mamma or two even laid eggs on a few types of Milkweed we have growing… thank goodness, I was getting really nervous. Even though we are seeing adult butterflies, and noticing eggs and caterpillars, the numbers are still lower than what I’m used to seeing for this time of August. I was doing some reading and I feel like Chip Taylor has some helpful insights on what has happened to the Monarchs this year.
Monarch caterpillar enjoying Tropical Milkweed.
Chip explained that the lengthy periods of rain we saw this spring had an impact… “Rainfall, if it persists for days – and it did over wide areas – can make a difference by limiting the number of hours and days during which females can lay eggs. In other words, it can reduce realized fecundity because there are only so many days in a female’s life and there is no way to fully recover from time lost.”
Chip also went on to say that the early cool weather we enjoyed in early August has also had an impact on the Monarchs. “As most of you know, the size of the last generation is a function of the number of eggs laid from about 20 July to 5-10 August as well as the quality of the milkweeds and the weather. The adults from that oviposition typically emerge throughout August into early September. This year the emergence could be delayed due to a cold front that moved into the northern breeding area starting on the 4th of August. Overnight temperatures dipped into the 50s in many areas limiting the number of hours for larval development. It’s possible that development has been pushed back by at least 10 days. This means that monarchs that would normally be on the wing in early to mid-August are still larvae or pupae at this writing (19 August). Hopefully, that’s the case, and we are simply dealing with a late emergence and migration.”
Lengthy rainy spells and a period of cooler weather in early August seems like two variables that have made a big difference on Monarch egg laying and larval development. For me, Chip Taylor is the expert I trust when it comes to all things Monarchs and their migration. To read his most recent blog post “Monarch Population Status” – August 20th 2024 click this link Monarch Watch Blog.
One other variable Chip mentioned was the quality of the Milkweed plants available to Monarchs. This continues to be an issue as well. I have no doubt that if you have read this far, you probably care about Monarchs and have some knowledge of Milkweed. I know for me, in my microcosm, I really can’t help the amount of rain or the temperature fluctuations that have impacted Monarchs this year, but what I can do is plant more Milkweed. I can do my best to add a few more different species, such as Swamp Milkweed – Asclepias incarnata, Common Milkweed – Asclepias syriaca, and Butterfly Milkweed – Asclepias tuberosa. These do great in our Kansas City area. Looking for the right types of Milkweeds for your area… check out this great guide by the Pollinator Partnership. Just scroll down, type in your zip code, and they will provide you with a PDF resource that has been created to cover the unique ecoregion you live in.
This fall, may we all make a goal to add at least one more Milkweed plant in our outdoor space(s), or find a friend, neighbor, coworker, or family member that can. Providing quality Milkweed plants for Monarchs is a great way we can all help. Which species are you planting?
If you’re in the Kansas City area, we’d love to see you at one of our upcoming sales. We’ll have some Milkweed plants available for purchase, as well as other native plants that can help create more habitat for wildlife in our gardens and landscapes. To find a list of our upcoming sales, and a list of the plants we plan to have available, please check out our Fall ’24 – Plant Sales page. And… if you are in the Olathe area on Saturday, September 28th, check out the Hasta Luego Monarchs event. This is a free family event that creates a fun experience for kids of all ages that celebrates the Monarch Migration!!! – Jay Parsons
Parsons' Gardens 