{"id":72573,"date":"2019-08-08T04:15:44","date_gmt":"2019-08-08T08:15:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=72573"},"modified":"2019-08-08T12:52:30","modified_gmt":"2019-08-08T16:52:30","slug":"helping-monarch-butterflies-thrive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/helping-monarch-butterflies-thrive\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Monarch butterflies thrive"},"content":{"rendered":"

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One anonymous Huntsville resident has been doing their part to help out the local population of Monarch butterflies.<\/p>\n

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There’s a good-sized patch of milkweed alongside Chub Lake Road and someone thoughtfully placed handmade signs there asking that the milkweed be left alone\u2014Monarch larvae (or caterpillars) feed exclusively on milkweed.<\/p>\n

Zelda Dwyer noticed the signs and when she heard Town crews go by, cutting back brush in the ditch, she thought, ‘oh no, the milkweed and the Monarchs!’ she told Doppler.<\/p>\n

She needn’t have worried.<\/p>\n

“Just wanted to report the employee went around the signs and the Monarch caterpillars are happily munching away on the milkweed,” Dwyer said.<\/p>\n

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Monarch caterpillars are happily feasting on milkweed plants along Chub Lake Road (Photo: Zelda Dwyer)<\/p><\/div>\n

Monarch butterflies aren’t just beautiful to look at. Like bees, they are important pollinators. And Monarchs have an impressive multi-generation migration that brings them from their overwintering grounds in Mexico to Canada and back each year. (Learn more about Monarch migration below.)<\/p>\n

In Ontario, they are listed as a Species of Concern\u2014not yet threatened or endangered but are at risk of becoming one or the other. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks notes that “the largest threat to Ontario Monarchs is habitat loss and fragmentation at overwintering sites in central Mexico where forests are being logged and converted into agricultural fields and pastures. Widespread pesticide and herbicide use throughout the Monarch\u2019s range [that includes Muskoka!].<\/span> may also limit recovery.”<\/p>\n

So how can you help Monarchs thrive?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

By helping to ensure Muskoka has plenty of Monarch-friendly habitat, you’re not just helping this fall’s generation of Monarchs return to Mexico which means you’ll be more likely to see them back and thriving next year, you’re also, by extension, helping other pollinators.<\/p>\n

Here are some things you can do to make your property Monarch-friendly:<\/p>\n