Monarch Butterflies
How would you feel if there were NO monarch butterflies? How would you feel if monarch butterflies could not migrate this far
north?
In the last twenty years, the monarch population went from about one billion butterflies to only 35 million butterflies. Their migration
is in danger, and this is bad news because we rely on monarchs to pollinate important plants and crops that we need to eat.
There are a few causes affecting the monarch migration. Chemical herbicides, such as Roundup, are killing the milkweed, and
milkweed is the only thing the larva can eat. Without it, they will die. The forests in Mexico where they hibernate are also being cut
down.
We are trying to help that. We are trying to make a difference.
Background Information – Monarch Migration
Monarchs migrate from Canada across
the United States down to Mexico every
fall. It takes five generations of
butterflies to complete the journey.
When they get to Mexico, they hibernate
and get ready to migrate again. Only the
fifth generation lives long enough to fly
to Mexico. On the way, the rest of the
butterflies have stop to lay their eggs
and eat.
The monarch migration is in danger
largely because there is no milkweed for
the monarchs to lay their eggs on. The
larva dies because they have nothing to
eat.
Background Information –
Why is milkweed disappearing?
Herbicides are chemicals that kill weeds. Unlike pesticides, they don't kill pests (such as
bugs, beetles, and butterflies). Herbicides are a major problem to Monarch butterflies and
their migration. Monsanto is a BIG Roundup company. Roundup is a type of herbicide. It
is killing the milkweed. Adult butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs. They can only
lay their eggs on milkweed because it is the only thing Monarch larva can eat.
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Background Information – Swallow Wort
Swallow Wort is another danger to the monarchs because it looks like milkweed.The monarch larva
eat it and they get sick. Swallow Wort is very hard to get rid of because it has a HUGE root system.
The only way to get rid of it without chemicals is to lift it out of the ground with a garden fork.
Swallow Wort has no natural enemies. Not even deer will eat it. Every Swallow Wort plant makes
hundreds of seeds out of pods so it can easily take over a field or any place with dirt, rain, and sun.
Swallow Wort
Seed Pods
Swallow Wort taking over a forest floor
PLAN
We decided the best way to spread the word that Monarch butterflies are in danger is to write a
blog. We are hoping to post the blog on our school website so the whole school can get involved. It
will include five categories of information which are life cycle, food, pesticides, milkweed, and
migration. We are also writing a pledge and including it on the blog. People can sign the pledge if
they promise to take care of butterflies. We will also print out copies and hand them out to each
student in the Lower School.
In the spring, we are planting a 100 square foot monarch butterfly garden at our school. The whole
school is helping to plan and plant the garden with help from the Seneca Park Zoo. Carol Sotherby,
president of the Rochester Butterfly Club, spoke with us to help us plan the garden. She taught us that
we need to include milkweed plants for the larva stage and nectar plants for the adult butterflies. We
are going to plant Swamp Milkweed and other nectar plants that grow in Zone 6a. Some of the plants
that we are hoping to include are Phlox, Passion Flower, and Black-eyed Susan. These will be planted
in groups so the butterflies can see them from the sky.
Observations
We decided to include self-reflection as our observations.
I learned that farmers are using more and more pesticides and herbicides and that the Monarch butterfly migration is
in danger of never happening again. I think butterflies are beautiful, and I would hate never to see a Monarch again
because they can not migrate this far. Student A
I learned that Monarch butterflies are in trouble, and I'm going to try to help by telling people to stop using
pesticides because the Monarch butterflies are dying. Student B
What made me care about Monarch butterflies is that they have an important job in the world. They give us pollen
and they are a beautiful animal. I don't necessarily like bugs, but I feel that Monarch butterflies are totally different,
and they deserve a long life. Student C
I learned that Monarch butterflies are going to be in danger soon. That made me notice because I have always cared
about them. I care because they are so pretty. Now that I think about it, I have never seen a Monarch butterfly! My
wish is to see one. By doing this project, I hope that it will help them come to this area and help them out of danger.
I know that a lot of people care already because there are so many organizations helping that specific butterfly. That
makes me happy to know that so many people care. My hope is that they will come back. Student D
Observations
More and more people are starting to recognize the problem. Many organizations are working on the
problem, here and across the country, such as the Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester Butterfly Club,
Monarch Watch, North American Butterfly Association (NABA), and the Monarch Joint Venture.
After the garden is planted, Mrs. Sotherby from the Rochester Butterfly Club suggested that we
observe the visitors in our garden. We are planning to record the number of Monarch butterflies
that come to the garden, along with the number of eggs on each plant, and the number of
caterpillars (larva). While observing the butterflies, we plan to discover which plants are their
favorites and plant more of those.
Hopefully, we will continue to keep in touch with Mrs. Sotherby, the Rochester Butterfly Club, and
the Seneca Park Zoo so they can give suggestions to help our garden and keep the butterflies
coming back.
Conclusion/Solution
It is up to all of us to save the monarchs.
Monarch butterflies are an indicator species.
Their presence shows that the ecosystem is
healthy and stable. If something is not done
soon, the Monarch butterfly may need to go on
the endangered species list.
Conclusion/Solution
There are things that everyone can do to help the
Monarch butterfly. For instance, we can stop using
chemical pesticides and herbicides. We can stop
destroying milkweed and forests. We CAN promise to
plant milkweed and other butterfly friendly plants.
Please join us in our fight to help the Monarch butterfly.
Together, we can do it!
References
Experts:
• Mrs. Carol Sotherby, President of the Rochester Butterfly Club
• Mr. Gabriel Costanzo, Teacher at Allendale Columbia School and Founding Member of the AC Garden Club
• Seneca Park Zoo presentation by Tim Fowler at Allendale Columbia School
Websites and Articles:
• news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/04/invasive-vines-swallow-new-yorks-natural-areas
• http://www.monarchwatch.org/garden/nectar.htm
• www.monarchjointventure.org
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carol-polsgrove/why-monarch-butterflies-n_b_5864212.html
• http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/01/140129-monarch-butterflies-mexico-animals-science-environment-migration-nation
• http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2014/monarch-butterfly-08-26-2014.html
• http://responsibletechnology.org/docs/damaging-effects-of-roundup.pdf
• http://nababutterfly.com/monarchs-and-milkweeds/
• http://nababutterfly.com/caterpillar-food-plant-gardening-with-milkweeds/
• www.monarchjointventure.org/threats/pesticides
• www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/masabni/xreflist/pesticidecompaniesnames.htm
• http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
• https://horticulturetalk.wordpress.com/2010/07/02/planting-after-roundup/
• www.kd8itx.com/blog/2011/07/picture-of-the-week-milkweed/
• http://www.bhg.com/gardening/design/nature-lovers/butterfly-garden-plants/#page=1
• https://bethechange2012.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/tam_map_web.jpg
• http://www.passionflower-anxiety.com/images/passionflower.jpg
• http://rlv.zcache.com/happy_monarch_butterfly_sticker-rc073897f0a434945bced28a14c312ffb_v9waf_8byvr_324.jpg
• https://natureinquiries.wordpress.com/2011/12/