Monarch Butterflies added to the Endangered List

Did you see the monarch butterfly has been added to the endangered list by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature)?

Here in New Zealand the monarch butterfly is highly respected as being a Kiwi icon. What would our summers be without monarch butterflies?

This summer the Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust (MBNZT) is urging people to buy their swan plants earlier – or plant their seed now – so the plants are well established before the monarchs return from their overwintering sites.

“There are overwintering sites all over NZ, at least as far south as Oamaru,” said Jacqui Knight, secretary of the MBNZT. “When they sense the season is warming up they will return to urban gardens looking out swan plants, and the females will lay their eggs on the plants.”

When you buy a seedling from the garden centre, they may come with pesticide spray on them. Horticulturists need to control insect pests on the plants so when they get to the stores they’re leafy and luscious looking.

Sowing seed now, or buying seedlings now, is the right way to do things. Get them in the garden and feed them well so they, in turn, will feed caterpillars. That way you’ll be helping the monarch butterfly population too!

Yates NZ sell swan plant seeds at garden stores, and the MBNZT receives royalties from their sales to put towards their many projects helping the butterflies of New Zealand. Check out their website now, www.nzbutterflies.org.nz.