Utah woman plants milkweed to help endangered monarch butterflies survive migration
Aug 9, 2022, 1:49 PM | Updated: 4:47 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — Every spring and summer, monarch butterflies begin migrating to Utah to lay eggs as they journey south. But, less and less are being seen in our state as their numbers drop to endangered levels.
One woman has an answer to how we all can help.
Her garden holds many little treasures; from basil to fennel, and pretty perennials. But in the corner of Teal Anderson’s garden, stands the plant she treasures most: milkweed.
Don’t let it’s name fool you.
“Milkweed is a plant that people will look at, or since its name says weed in it, they just think it’s a weed and pull it out, get rid of it,” she said.
But it is actually a wildflower with beautiful bright blooms and requires little water and maintenance. For Teal, the best part is finding monarch butterfly eggs hidden in the leaves.
“It’s just so much fun when you find one and it just pops out at you and it’s just this little creature that I know I can help,” she said.
Teal has been raising monarchs for over 15 years and feels a special connection with them. Holding up a leaf she smiles.
“Every year the caterpillars eat little heart shaped holes in the leaves for me, and I think its’s just because they love me.”
Caterpillars eat a lot of milkweed and in fact it’s the only plant they can eat, making it incredibly important. But unfortunately, this Utah-native plant is disappearing and so are the butterflies. Just a couple weeks ago, monarch butterflies were classified as an endangered species; just two steps away from becoming entirely extinct.
“The primary reason for that is with all the building that’s going up, the new roadways being put in their habitat, which is milkweed, is being destroyed,” Teal said. “And milkweed is the only plant that monarch butterflies lay their eggs on and is the only plant that the caterpillars can eat for survival.”
That is why she is doing her part to educate as many people as she can about the importance of milkweed. Because not only are butterflies facing a milkweed shortage, but things like pesticides and predators also contribute to their harsh survival odds.
“The chance of survival is around one in 20 out in the wild, which is not super high, especially when the numbers are dwindling.”
The good news is that there is something we can all do to help. Plant milkweed.
“Planting milkweed is the number one thing that can help ensure their survival, and every single person can do it.”
The prime time to plant milkweed is in the coming weeks as we enter fall. Milkweed can be a great addition to any lawn, including drought friendly xeriscapes. Planting milkweed this fall will help ensure the butterflies that migrate into Utah will have somewhere to lay eggs and hopefully thrive once again.
