Monarch

Butterfly
Barbara Cavalcanti, Tagg Moss
Biology 1620: Pollinators
 What are pollinators?

❖ Animals that move pollen from the

anther of a male flower to the stigma
of a female flower.

❖ Gametes in the pollen grains will be

fertilized in the ovules of the female
flower.
Importance of Conservation Effort

❖ Protect wildlife
❖ Preserving wildlife for future
generations
❖ Promote biodiversity
❖ Maintain healthy and functional
ecosystem
 Monarch Life Cycle
Eggs are laid on milkweed Caterpillars feed on the
plants. milkweed leaves which
provide them with nutrients
and toxins that keeps other
animals from eating them.
The Chrysalis (monarch The monarchs fly away and
cocoon) takes about 10-14 receives their nutrients from
days to become transparent the nectar of blooming
revealing the monarch. plants (including milkweeds).
The Monarch’s Habitat

● In the western US, Monarchs thrive on all types of Milkweed

○ Host plant for larvae
● Pollinator syndrome between the Monarch, and the plant
○ They both benefit each other, keeping the other feed/protected
● Milkweed is also a beneficial plant to Bees, Moths, and other pollinators
● Monarchs aren’t officially endangered, but are extremely close…
The Problem

● Climate change has begun is assault on the Milkweed

○ Increased temperatures can make the plant toxic to the butterfly
■ Cardenolide (larvae food) in too high of a concentration is toxic to the larvae
● Herbicides, increased rural landscaping, and misunderstanding of the plant is slowly killing it off
○ A common plant, misunderstood because it’s a “weed”, its pulled, sprayed, and killed off from
most suburban areas.
● Over 165 Million acres of Milkweed fields have been destroyed since the 90’s, annihilating the
Monarch’s breeding ground, and food source
 Soil Sample pH Level pH Level
(Spring) (Distilled)

Protecting the Monarch, Garden Box 8.4 8.3

Saving a Weed Garden

(Grass)
8.11 7.56

SLCC Community Garden Conservation Added Topsoil 7.3 7.05

2 species of Milkweed were studied over a 3-week period
Soil Phosphorus Nitrate Potassium
● Figures show soil nutrient levels, including pH >
Sample Level Level Level
● 3 different soils were studied for ideal planting
Conditions for the Milkweed
Garden Light Medium Light
● Results show that lower acidity and more unkempt
Box
Conditions are favored by the weed
Outside Light Medium Medium
Garden

Added Light Light Light

Topsoil
What We Can Do

Weeds need love too!

Allowing Milkweeds to grow in certain areas ensures that Monarchs continue to have a place to thrive

● Places Milkweed grows best include a good bacterial source, like in grassy areas that aren't maintained overly
well, and in slightly acidic soil, with a good amount of sunlight

Modern ecological conservation relies heavily on the decrease of CO2 in the atmosphere to decrease acidity in plants,
we can assist them in giving them places to live unhindered

● Local governments can be the first to start change for pollinators. Big change starts small!
What’s Next?

Population of wintering Monarch butterflies have decreased in California by 99%, and 85% in Mexico since
the mid 1990’s.

● The Monarch Act

○ Bill introduced in 2021 to congress provides massive relief for the butterflies, as well as many other pollinators
that would benefit.
○ $125 Million in relief funds, and would plant over a billion milkweed plants to help restore the former habitat
○ Would also create long-term pesticide-free zones where pollinators would be able to thrive
Works Cited

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/invertebrates/monarch_butterfly/pdfs/The-Monarch-Emergency-2021-FAQ.pdf

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/nvpmctn12764.pdf

https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/congress-introduces-bill-save-monarch-butterflies-west-2020-02-20/

https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2020/08/monarch-butterfly-population-decline-glyphosate-milkweed/#:~:text=A%2
02017%20study%20from%20the,rebound%20to%20a%20sustainable%20level.