the Amazing Monarch
In
this area (Ohio) of the country, the season’s last brood of
Monarch Butterflies will emerge in late September and early October.
It is this generation, on whose shoulders all future generations
now rest. Several weeks earlier, our subject began life as an egg,
carefully placed on the leaf of a Milkweed plant by his mother.
The sticky white sap of the Milkweed is ingested by the Monarch
caterpillar as it eats, being mildly toxic and very nauseous, the
substance stays with the insect the rest of its life, offering it
protection from would-be predators. Milkweed by the way, is the
only plant the Monarch will lay her eggs on and the only plant that
can support our baby Monarch as it grows.
In order for the larva to keep growing, molting must occur. This
happens when the old skin splits, revealing the new skin underneath.
Once the caterpillar has wiggled free, it has completed 1 cycle
or Instar. This particular caterpillar is in the 5th Instar or last
stage of the larvae cycle. The last molt is much different than
the others. The larva crawls away from its milkweed plant, searching
for a suitable perch. It then weaves a silk mat from which to hang.
When the mat is complete, the caterpillar grabs the silk with its
rear legs and hangs upside down. The front part of its body will
curve up to form a "J-shape."
Hours later, a slight color change and a small amount of movement signal the forthcoming event. The skin splits once again, several jerky movements and seconds later the chrysalis or pupa comes into view. The chrysalis is an emerald green coon like structure that will serve as home for the next two weeks. It is at this stage of life where the magic really happens. Once tucked safely inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar's molecular structure is completely broken down and in a true miracle of nature, reassembled again as a completely new creature.
About 24 hours before the Monarch emerges; the chrysalis turns clear, exposing the unmistakably orange and black colors and patterns of our new butterfly. Two things are strikingly apparent has he frees himself from the chrysalis. The abdomen is abnormally swollen and the wings are small and shriveled. Immediately, excess body fluid is pumped from the abdomen through veins in the wings. Watch, and you can see then expand before your eyes. An hour or so later the wings have dried and our Monarch takes flight, looking for his first meal as a butterfly.
As
winter approaches, these tiny creatures must make their way thousands
of miles south and west to wintering grounds in California and Mexico.
Without a road map or someone to guide them, the Monarchs make this
amazing trek over prairies, rivers, expressways, and mountain ranges,
arriving at a winter home they have never seen before. Here they
will gather by the thousands waiting for winter to loosen her grip.
And with the on set of spring this same brood will make its way
north, populating areas of the United States along the way. As each
new generation matures, they push their way farther and farther
north. Several generations later, Monarchs can be found as far north
as Maine and parts of Canada. Then, in the fall of the year, the
last brood is beckoned home and the cycle repeats itself all over
again.
Milkweed
If you’d like to in witness the Monarch’s life cycle, it is a rather simple thing to do. However, I must warn you the plant we are about to discuss is toxic and caution should be used around it at all times. Pets are not usually bothered by it however; small children are very curious and should be watched carefully when around these plants. Always wear gloves when handling milkweed and don’t forget to wash your hands, face and any other exposed body parts when finished.
As a child, my mother once told me the only difference between
a flower and a weed is the weed isn't loved. Such has been the fate
of the lowly Milkweed, this unpretentious and somewhat misunderstood
plant is actually not a weed at all, but rather an attractive flowering
perennial many of which are native to the United States. Fortunately,
it has thrived along fence rows, railroad tracks, in vacant lots
and on open fields. Depending on the species, flower colors will
range from pink, orange, red, yellow, and white. In general, milkweed
grows to be between 24 - 36 inches tall, many of which would make
an excellent addition to your perennial garden as long as certain
precautions are met. Milkweeds, such as common milkweed, Asclepias
syriaca, get their name from the thick, sticky, milky substance
that oozes out of cut or torn leaves, stems, and fresh seed pods.
The sap of all Milkweeds is toxic, so take care to wash off quickly
should it come in to contact with your skin. 
Should you decide to try it in your own garden; you will be rewarded with droves of butterflies while it’s in bloom. When planted out in the open, in groups of several plants per bed, the stuff is a veritable butterfly magnet. Butterflies of all shapes and sizes love it, flocking around to feeding on the nectar produced by clusters of small flowers that adorn the plants during the months of June, July, and August. I've noticed several of the large seed catalogs have started to carry it, as well has some specialized perennial retailers.
Milkweed likes open airy areas where they are exposed to full sunlight and they will do best if they are planted in the sunniest areas of your garden. If you have a choice, light soils are better than those with heavy clay content. Well drained soils are generally best however, there are some species e.g. incarnata (swamp milkweed) that do very well in saturated conditions. Feed them with a regular balanced slow release flower fertilizer three times during the growing season and once the plant reaches approximately 10" in height, cut it back slightly, this will promote plant fullness and more flowers.
Keep
a close eye on your plants during the summer and fall months, eventually
you will notice the unmistakable black, white, and yellow bands
of a Monarch caterpillar; confirmation that this fascinating and
beautiful insect has found your garden. By cultivating and caring
for this unlikely host plant, the Monarch's life cycle is about
to repeat itself right in your own backyard.