The Monarch Butterfly  - Magical and Amazing      

The Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is an amazing butterfly.  Habitat loss and climate change are having an impact on Monarchs which might some day lead to extinction. 

So what?  The Monarch isn't a keystone species nor does it have any special value as a pollinator (unlike the bee).  The larva feeds on a weed that is not dependent on the butterfly and would not suffer if the butterfly disappeared.  If the Monarch disappeared, life on Earth would continue.

But, losing another species does diminish humankind's experience on Earth.  Do we really need a reason to protect a species?  Should we only protect a species that has value to humans?  If one species is at risk, more than likely others are as well.   Protecting the Monarch means protecting other species that share a habitat and environment.

General Information

Feeding on milkweed during all of the instar larval stages (caterpillar), the adult is poisonous.  This allows for the brilliant orange and black markings.  Predators know not to eat this nasty tasting butterfly.  These markings are so successful that the viceroy mimics the markings.

Viceroy	Monarch

The adult butterfly lays her eggs only on the milkweed plant found throughout the US and Canada.   About four days later the larvae emerges.  The caterpillar will continue to munch on milkweed for about 2 more weeks.  After the final molt, the caterpillar finds an out-of-the way spot and forms the chrysalis.  During this stage, the larvae transforms into a pupa and finally emerges 10 days later as a beautiful butterfly.  The adult will live between 2 - 6 more weeks.

This image provided by Sherry Skipper-Spurgeon, friend of monarchs

and creator of www.mymonarchguide.com

This process repeats for around 4 generations with this generation making the 3000 mile journey to Mexico.  A journey it's never taken.  It will spend the winter in the oyamel fir forests of Michoacán state of Mexico and during the spring the aged and tattered butterfly will mate, lay her eggs and die.  Thus, allowing the next generation to make the northern trip back to the US.

Monarchs in Space

On November 16, 2009, an investigative payload of butterflies launched into space on board the NASA space shuttle, Atlantis on a mission to the International Space Station.  The payload consists of two habitats containing Monarch butterfly larvae as well as Painted Lady larvae.  The experiments will work in conjunction with classrooms across the country raising larvae.  The goal is to determine the effects of larval development in zero gravity when compared to those growing on earth as well as gain interest in the sciences by students of all ages.

As of November 30, 2009, all three caterpillars have pupated and are now in the chrysalis stage.  Monarch Watch, a key participant, has a wonderful section on their website dedicated to this experiment.

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