Wisconsin had a great summer for monarch butterflies | Life

MILTON – Last April, Dave Bendlin saw a monarch in his garden about five weeks before the usual time of butterfly appearance in the spring.

Milton's Bendlin did not know it then, but the early arrival announced good news.

This summer, the number of struggling monarchs in the Upper Midwest has experienced the strongest comeback in years.

"The number of monarchs has been phenomenal," said Bendlin. "All summer, we saw a lot of people."

Monarch Watch, a citizen science program monitoring monarchs, confirms what Bendlin saw: a perfect storm for the beautiful orange, black and white butterflies.

"These are the most extraordinary conditions for monarchs we've known since 2001," said Chip Taylor, founder and director of Kansas-based Monarch Watch. "It will be the largest population we have seen in a decade."

The University of Kansas ecology professor predicts a 5-hectare winter population in Mexico, twice the size of last winter. One hectare is 2.47 acres.

Scientists can not count the millions of butterflies that spend their winters in the firs in the mountains west of Mexico City. They therefore count in hectares the amount of space occupied by trees.

The highest number recorded was 18.9 hectares in 1996-97.

Since the early 2000s, monarchs have been declining with a record of less than one hectare in the winter of 2013-2014.

This decline is due to habitat loss in Mexico and the United States, less predictable weather conditions and the emergence of herbicide-resistant crops, which resulted in a decrease in the amount of milkweed available in the plant. range of the butterfly.

Monarchs feed on the nectar of flowers, but they lay their eggs only on milkweed, which caterpillars eat exclusively.

Taylor explained how conditions favored monarchs this spring, when they emigrated from Mexico to the north.

"They managed to get to Texas, where the amount of milkweed was plentiful and where temperatures were above normal," Taylor said. "They produced a great first generation."

As temperatures rose, butterflies continued to move north, mating and dying along the way. Finally, after several generations, they reached the northern United States and Canada.

"The quality of the migration of these generations to the north in May and early June depends on the temperatures," said Taylor. "The temperatures were favorable for large-scale movements to the north and northeast. Monarchs have reached the northern breeding areas successfully, at the right time and in sufficient numbers. This allowed the population to grow rapidly. "

But the current rise does not guarantee another happy new year in 2019.

"What we saw this year could never happen again because the climate is changing," Taylor said. "It's very hot in Texas in March, which could push the monarchs north too soon. If it is too hot or too cold as they move north, the reproduction of the monarch decreases. "

He also said that there is another great unknown.

"Will fall conditions promote survival during migration? "We do not really know how to answer that question."

To help reduce the number of monarchs and other pollinators, people such as Bendlin and his wife planted many varieties of native plants in their gardens.

"Pollinators prefer open, flat flowering plants," said Bendlin. "The simpler the flower, the more nectar it produces. Many hybrid varieties have more petals but less nectar. "

Bendlin, of Rock County's conservation group, said the group had worked with 11 schools in Rock County to plant pollinator gardens. Pollinator gardens are rich in native plants producing nectar.

The group is also working to educate people on how to create a healthy environment for butterflies and other pollinators in their garden.

Bendlin offered some basic advice: digging up nectar-rich flowers for lawns and plants, such as native prairie plants; do not use pesticides; and do not mow native plants, such as milkweed, that grow in ditches.

Pollinator gardens are full of rewards, including a steady stream of butterflies and other insects from spring to fall.

"There is also a sense of satisfaction that we have made a difference," said Bendlin.

Environmental protection Emily Scheunemann said that a person does not need a large yard to make a difference.

"If everybody does a little bit, everything is fine," she said. "Citizens can do their part by planting native plants and milkweed, even if they live on a property with postage stamps."

She and her husband, Larry Scheunemann, have created an oasis for pollinating insects and birds on their rural farm in Whitewater.

She described the migration of this extraordinary year.

"The citizens have seen huge mbades of monarchs," said Emily Scheunemann, "and they report large dormitories at night."

Earlier this month, the Scheunemanns tagged migratory monarchs as they have for at least 15 years.

Monarchs born in Canada and in the northeastern United States are currently traveling 2,500 km to Mexico – a place they have never been to.

Larry Scheunemann called gardening pollinators "really gratifying".

"It's a work of love," he said. "When you take the time to look at different plants and all the different pollinators, it's really amazing."