The number of Monarch butterflies in the USA have been in a declining mode for several years. It does seem like I see less of them than I used to. Many things may contribute to the smaller numbers, including pesticides and predators, but one major thing is lack of habitat. Namely lack of milkweed plants, which the larva caterpillars feed on exclusively.

So for the past couple years I have made an effort to provide milkweed plants. Kind of crazy, considering many people consider them a weed, but I bought plants and bought seeds to make sure we have milkweed scattered around the homestead. Milkweed seeds pods need to be refrigerated to go through a cold spell, and then scatter the seeds with their fluffy silk “parachutes”. There are many different species of milkweed. Plain old wild milkweed seems to be the preference of my monarchs.

I also have more perennial flowers to help attract butterflies, as well a water sources. A bird and butterfly garden will attract all manner of butterflies and bird species looking for nectar, seeds and water.

My milkweed planting efforts paid off – this year it worked – we had several dozen Monarch caterpillars. So many, in fact, that in several places the milkweed leaves were eaten bare, leaving just a stalk sticking up. On some plants, the caterpillars resorted to eating the still forming milkweed pods. I guess I need more milkweed!

I decided to take a more drastic action at this point and go back to what we did as kids – put the caterpillars in a jar with some leaves and a stick. I wanted to make sure the caterpillars would turn into a chrysalis (pupa) and hatch.

For this year I have had a half gallon mason jar, complete with lid with holes in it, sitting on my counter. Several butterflies have already hatched out. I got to put them outside and watch their first fluttery flight. I couldn’t put more than 4 or 5 caterpillars in at a time, to prevent overcrowding. Next year I’ll find an old fish tank from a garage sale or friend so I can provide a safe place for the chrysalis’ to develop.

Not only do I feel like a kid again, but I get to help this struggling species with the summer hatching here up north. Hopefully the ones I let go will make it to Florida & Mexico for winter.

You can read more about Monarch butterflies and their life cycle at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly