We had a visitor to the Wildlife & Rain Garden yesterday:


A Monarch butterfly! 

By the looks of her tattered wings and worn scales, she probably was an 
overwintering butterfly from one of the preserves down in Mexico. Meaning 
she has flown nearly 1,000 miles in her short 6 – 9 month lifespan. 



In the photo below (a bit blurry), you can see her depositing a single egg on the underside of the milkweed leaf. Milkweed, the Monarch’s host plant, is the only plant the adult will lay eggs on, and the only plant the caterpillar will eat. Different types of butterflies have different host plants, but the Monarch gets special attention because it is the species that migrates such great distances, and depends on healthy, native milkweed and nectar plants for survival. The more the landscape is changed for human needs, the fewer milkweed plants are available, threatening the migration. We believe this one made that long journey, bred in mexico, and found our milkweed to lay her eggs on! 



Can you spot the tiny egg? Look for a small cream-colored 
dot on the underside of the leaf (near center of photo)



Planting milkweed is crucial for the continuance of this great migration.


Some of the recommended milkweeds - you can see them at the Wildlife & Rain Garden!


 Aquatic Milkweed Asclepias perennis


 Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa

Purple Milkweed Asclepias purpurascens


 Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata


Whorled Milkweed Asclepias verticillata



Spring time is popular for planting, starting new gardens or reviving old. However you plant it, remember to think of the pollinators by buying pollinator-friendly plants. These are plants not treated or grown with chemicals or genetics that harm butterflies, bees, and the many other critters that pollinate our gardens and food crops. 

Important Note: Tropical or Mexican Milkweed, often sold at local 
nursery centers, should not be planted in Georgia. 

For more information on monarchs, pollinators, and how to create a habitat at home, visit  http://www.eealliance.org/monarchs-across-ga 

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