How to Help

By conserving butterfly habitat we are also preserving important cultural rituals, such as “Day of the Dead.” In Mexico, monarchs are believed to carry the souls of ancestors who visit during the two day celebration (Chezlynne, 2022).

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE

  • Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides on your lawn and gardens
  • Do not pick or damage wild plants and flowers along your local trails
  • Get involved with conservation groups, such as Monarch Nation
  • Plant a butterfly garden in your yard
  • Most importantly – PLANT MILKWEED

Milkweed pods develop after the plant has flowered. The pods hold seeds that each have a silky floss parachute, similar to a dandelion (Chezlynne, 2022).

While there are nine species of milkweed, some are better than others when it comes to monarch butterflies. Swamp Milkweed and Common Milkweed appear to be the most preferred for egg laying monarchs, as their larvae have a better survival rate in comparison to other milkweed species. Swamp Milkweed is native to Ontario, but there are other types of milkweed that could be safely added to your garden:

  • Common Milkweed
  • Butterfly Milkweed
  • Purple Milkweed
  • Whorled Milkweed
  • Poke Milkweed