Butterflies for the Bays

It is officially August. 

And with August, comes the start of the Monarch butterfly migration season. Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) migrate along both the east and west coasts, from Canda and the Northern United States, all the way to Mexico or Southern California. Since one butterfly cannot travel that distance, they migrate over 5 generations, stopping to lay eggs on different species of milkweed along the route. When an egg hatches, it picks up the journey where its parent left off.

Monarchs go through four life stages - egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa), and adult butterfly. Caterpillars are very dependent on the plant milkweed, they feed on it almost exclusively before they enter the chrysalis stage. Maintaining healthy populations of milkweed is crucial for the species’ survival. Due to the decline in milkweed, as well as destruction of habitat, monarchs are classified as endangered. 

This species is crucial to understanding the health of Earth’s ecosystems, as they are very sensitive to environmental changes. Scientist can use monarch populations as a warning for environmental issues that may not be observable otherwise. 

In mid July, we received some monarch caterpillars at our Tiana Bayside Facility. We set up an area in our coastal gardens, specifically in our milkweed garden bed, adding protective netting to protect the larvae from predation. We also set up an indoor enclosure, full of pollinating plants and milkweed for the caterpillars, which allowed more careful observation by our campers throughout the summer. Thanks to our community members, we had extra milkweed plants donated, to satisfy the appetites of our very hungry caterpillars!

This incredible opportunity allowed for the hands-on integration of the monarch lifecycle into our camp curriculum. Our campers were able to see the caterpillars eat, watch the chrysalis form, and see the butterflies emerge from their chrysalis. Campers and staff marveled as caterpillars molted (shed their skin) and built chrysalises. As each butterfly emerged, they spent one day drying their wings, and fueling up on nectar. When they were ready, we carefully set them free from their enclosures. Our campers had the opportunity to free the monarchs themselves, with staff assistance, and watch them fly around and land from flower to flower. 

Allowing someone to experience the beauty of nature hands on, leaves more of a lasting experience throughout one's life. I am very grateful that our campers were able to experience the circle of life for one of Earth's most beloved species.