As predicted monarch butterflies at risk

As predicted monarch butterflies at risk

As predicted by the Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust a few months ago, it’s a dire situation for New Zealand’s monarch butterflies

One of NZ’s largest supplier of mature swan plants retired this year and as a result 81,000 less swan plants are on the market.

“The plants that are on sale are less than 50cm tall – and won’t feed many caterpillars. “We get panicked phone calls every year from people who have run out of food for their monarch caterpillars, but this year it’s worse,” says Rebecca Bibby, Chair of the Trust.

People see the first monarchs in the spring and buy swan plants from their garden centres. Most plants are only a few months old and cannot withstand the onslaught from the first generation of caterpillars.

The Trust urges people to establish swan plants now for next year’s monarchs so that they become well established in gardens, up to 2 metres tall. If they are inter-planted with nectar plants habitat is provided for monarchs and other beneficial insects too.

“Swan plants are a difficult proposition for growers in that aphids and of course monarchs seek them out,” says Jacqui Knight. “And if they’re sprayed with pesticides they won’t sustain caterpillars when they are sold. So it’s quite a predicament.”

Seeds can also be planted now for future years. The Trust has put a number of ideas, including aphid control on their website, www.monarch.org.nz.

“Seeing butterflies in the garden is such a wonderful way for children to become more aware of the wonders of nature,” said Rebecca. “And it’s a relatively cheap exercise too – great to get them away from screens for a few minutes.”

ENDS

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