Sustainability Topics

 About Monarch Butterflies

• Lifespan: 2 to 6 weeks
• Wingspan: 3.5-4 inches
• Reproduction: Monarch butterflies lay eggs only on milkweed plants, the only food source of caterpillars

Monarch butterflies are breathtakingly beautifiul but they are much more than that — monarchs contribute to the health of our planet. They also aid the economy. Butterflies are pollinators and pollinators contribute substantially to the economy of the United States. Specifically, pollinators are vital to the growth of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. All of which are vital for human health. 

Unfortunately, monarch butterflies are (as are many pollinators) endangered. Over the past few decades, there has been a significant loss of pollinators—including honey bees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies—from the environment. The problem is serious and poses a significant challenge to the sustainability of farming and the agricultural sector, and to the overall health of the environment.

Migration

Monarchs undertake astounding and gruelling annual generational migrations. Each autumn, monarchs travel from their summer breeding grounds to overwintering locations. They fly up to 4000 miles from locations in Canda and the US to central Mexico. There they overwinter in less than 20 sites, gathering in 20-30 million per large roost. As they fly south, the butterflies may fly as high as 4,000 feet while riding thermals, averaging 12 miles per hour. Intermediary generations have an adult lifespan of only 4-5 weeks, but the final annual generation lives 5-7 times longer, making the long migration and then surviving to overwinter, mate, and return north. 

Plant Milkweed

Researchers estimate that a jaw-dropping 970 million monarchs have vanished since 1990. In addition to habitat loss, threats include climate change and agricultural pesticides that are reducing the milkweed populations on which monarchs lay their eggs. To survive, butterflies need chemical and pesticide free nectar plants that provide adults with energy, and caterpillars with nourishment. One way to combat the decline of monarchs is to plant milkweed. Milkweed is vital to monarch survival. Learn more about milkweed by clicking the button below. 

Who Are the Pollinators? 

Pollinators include birds, butterflies, bats, moths, wasps, small mammals, and most importantly, bees.  Pollinators add over $200 billion dollars to the global economy. Honey bees alone are responsible for between $1.2 and $5.4 billion dollars in agricultural productivity in the US. Pollinators also support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils, protect from severe weather, and support other wildlife. 

The Buzz about Bees

 "As sweet as honey" and "as busy as a bee" are phrases known and used by many. These phrases are, of course, honey bee derived. Unfortunately, humans are endangering these incredible honey producers. Scientists continue to document declining bee populations. This is especially alarming because the FDA reports that about one-third of all food eaten by Americans (apples, melons, cranberries, pumpkins, broccoli, etc.) comes from produce pollinated by honey bees. Crops like blueberries and cherries are 90% dependent on bees for fruition while almond crops are 100% dependent on these tiny, hard working pollinators. Rockefeller Park Greenhouse's  All-America Selections Garden supports pollinators. 

Bee-Friendly at Home

Growing a residential, bee-friendly garden is a valuable way of helping endangered bees.  Bee-friendly gardens can be cultivated almost anywhere: a space as small as a windowsill can serve as one. To start, simply plant flowers that attract bees--lavender, bee balm, pansies, marigolds, daises, peony, milkweed, and other native wildflowers. 

Avoid flowers and plants sold at big-box retailers; they are often contaminated with pesticides implicated in the wide-scale death of beehives. Instead, grow plants from untreated seeds in organic potting soil, or purchase organic plant starts. Use 'single' flower tops (e.g., daisies and marigolds) rather than 'double' flower tops (e.g., double impatiens).

Do not use insecticides and pesticides on plants; these kill bees. 

Bee gardens are not the total solution to the problem of disappearing bees. However, they help provide food and habitat for these endangered pollinators that are so essential in producing the food that humans need.