Monarch Migration

October 29, 2015  •  4 Comments

Monarch ButterflyMonarch ButterflyMonarch on Salvia Leucantha.

A Monarch butterfly on Salvia leucantha at Botanica in Wichita, Kansas. Another Monarch fall migration is over for Kansas. I saw a few stragglers when visiting Botanica two days ago. Hopefully, with population counts low and Kansas temperatures getting down in the 20's and 30's last night, they all got the heck out of Dodge, so to speak. I did my part for the species this year. Five butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) have been growing in a bed in my yard for 4 years. I added five more this year. I also planted an Arizona milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia) in a large container on the patio this year. I had at least 10 caterpillars on the plants in late summer. Plants of the Asclepias species are the favored food source for Monarchs. I encourage everyone to plant more milkweed next year. 


Comments

Tim(non-registered)
Great contrasting colors make this photo a winner! As you know I have lots of tropical milkweed (annual) and if I'm going to try the perennial again, then I will have to make some soil improvements to my sand. I had a 'straggler' yesterday (11/4) on my flowers and the day before a new emerging one, so they better skidattle!
Thane Rogers Photography
Thanks, Jim and Saundra, it's nice to be able to have a positive impact on such a beautiful creature.
Jim Griggs(non-registered)
I need to grow milkweed next season! Thanks for the tip.
Saundra(non-registered)
Beautiful photo! I will make sure I have a planter with milkweed next spring.
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