Canada plants monarch butterflies. With its 4 inch wingspan and vibrant black and orange pattern the monarch butterfly is easy to recognize in the garden. However monarch population numbers have experienced a steady and dramatic decline in the 21st century due to habitat loss and weather extremes. Here are 2 types of raising cages we use for a consistent 95 survival rate. They usually travel at treetop level along mountain ridges so they are usually harder to see in lower elevations.
Those who garden with native plants are aware that natives attract a remarkable number of pollinators. The monarch danaus plexippus karner blue lycaeides melissa samuelis quino checkerspot euphydryas editha quino saint francis satyr neonympha mitchellii francisci and oregon silverspot speyeria zerene hippolyta butterflies are all important species for defenders because of their imperiled status. Each species is reliant on specific plants or plant families as hosts for their eggs. The amazing monarch butterfly migrates 2000 miles each fall from the northeast united states to mexico passing through the asheville area in september and early october.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make raising monarch butterflies is choosing the wrong caterpillar cage. But you can. The monarch butterflies spend winter along the california coast between mendocino county and san diego. The orange and black butterfly is known for its annual multi generational migration from mexico to as far north as canada.
Monarch butterflies danaus plexippus plexippus are perhaps the most well known and beloved butterfly species in north americatheir renowned long distance seasonal migration and spectacular winter gatherings in mexico and california have heralded the transition from fall to winter for thousands of years. They are broken into two populations separated by the rocky mountains called the eastern and the western populations. Releasing butterflies for the fall migration is one of the greatest joys of raising.