Conservation in Action- Raising Monarchs Part 1
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The Monarch Butterfly is as iconic as a species can get in North America. Everyone knows a Monarch when they see them. The orange and black coloration is striking and reminds you of your childhood. When I was a kid, Monarchs were fascinating to me! I loved caterpillars and thought it was mind blowing that caterpillars turn into butterflies. People often look to butterflies as a symbol of change and the change that Monarchs go through is nothing shy of incredible.
I was able to experience the magic of Monarchs up close and personal. My day job is working as an educator at a zoo. I am constantly trying to find new ways to get different conservation messages out to the public. I also like to do this in my side hustle with my books and artwork. This has basically been my life's calling since I was a kid. Anyways, I made a proposal to celebrate Monarch Day and raise monarchs at the zoo. The proposal was passed!
Monarchs are in need of our help! In Michigan, we have the 'Super Generation' that make the trek to the Oyamel fir forests in Mexico in one go. It takes 3-4 generations to make their way back to Mexico. The 'Super Generation' lives for 8 months, which is 8 times longer than the other generations! Every year Citizen Scientists count how many Monarchs make it to the Oyamel forests, and this past year there was a 59% decrease in the number of Monarchs that made it to Mexico! It was the lowest numbers since the early 1990s. Monarchs have rebounded before, but are they able to do it again? They face challenges like:
Climate change affecting their overwintering habitat
Pesticide use all throughout their migration range
Urbanization causing habitat loss
Increase of monoculture plots and no milkweed in sight
One way we can help is by raising awareness and what I wanted to do is raise it by raising Monarchs at the zoo. I received a total of 56 second instar (what you call the stages for Monarchs) from Monarch Watch. I ended up getting COVID the day after I received them, so I raised them at my home until I could go back to work. I started with them in plastic tubs and lots of milkweed. The important part of raising Monarchs is that they are raised outside. They depend on a natural day and night cycle. Research has shown that Monarchs who do not get the proper day and night cycle have a hard time migrating to Mexico. They travel by following the suns position in the sky! The more you learn about Monarchs the more in awe you will be of them.
This is where I am going to leave you in suspense... Look for Part 2 of the blog to see how raising the Monarchs is going!