We have just learned that the iconic monarch butterfly may be placed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species list. The significant decline in the numbers of this beloved species, renowned for migrating thousands of miles across North America, is due to habitat loss and the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides throughout its natural range.
The monarch’s fascinating lifestyle is studied by children of all ages. Its metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly for three successive generations culminates in a fourth and final migratory generation which flies up to 3,000 miles to an exact location pinpointed by an incredible internal radar system. This remarkable multi-generational migration is a marvel of the natural world. The Eastern migratory butterfly has declined by 85%, while the Western population has lost 98% of its numbers, putting it at greater than 99% chance of extinction if nothing is done on its behalf.
We cannot continue to destroy insect pollinator habitat through excess pesticide and herbicide use in our farmlands, grasslands, wetlands and forests. Economic prosperity and ecological health must be co-dependent; working lands that provide food and energy essential to human survival must also maintain the essential habitat needed by all wildlife species, including insect pollinators, birds, and butterflies. Productive, healthy farming and pollinator conservation must co-exist, and this is the goal of all organic agriculture. Monarchs are a keystone species, epitomizing strength, resiliency, grace, and beauty; we can all participate in conservation efforts to restore and protect their habitat.
A newborn monarch butterfly, deformed by the OE bacterium found in tropical milkweed, emerges from its chrysalis.
Most of you know that monarchs depend on milkweed (Aesclepias species) for their survival, as this host plant is the only one on which their caterpillars can feed. But unfortunately, just planting more milkweed is not the answer to the existing problem. The tropical milkweed which is so often promoted by nurseries contains the bacterium OE, which is fatal to monarchs. In Florida, we should plant only native swamp milkweed (Aesclepias incarnata) and butterfly milkweed (A. tuberosa). These may be more difficult to find but seek out native nurseries or ask your nursery to find them for you.
If you already have tropical milkweed in your garden, cut it all the way back to the ground after caterpillars have eaten the foliage. This will minimize the risk of infection by the OE bacterium. Numerous conservation organizations across the U.S. are working to save the monarchs, and you can be a part of this critical effort. If you have an “environmental” company that regularly treats your property with pesticides, you might reconsider the ramifications to the monarchs’ habitat.
An adult monarch on a milkweed plant. Monarchs need milkweed, but homeowners should avoid planting tropical milkweed, which carries a harmful bacterium.
One exceptional conservation movement close to home is Community Greening (CG), a nonprofit urban forestry initiative started in Delray Beach in 2016. CG promotes the concept of tree equity, whereby every city neighborhood has enough trees to benefit the people living there; its mission is to improve the urban environment through the planting of trees. Numerous studies have shown what we already know but largely take for granted: trees in cities provide climate resiliency, health benefits, and employment opportunities to which everyone should be entitled. Shade trees cool neighborhoods, reducing heat-related illnesses and utility costs. They trap air pollutants, sequester carbon, produce oxygen and provide critical habitat and infrastructure essential to our quality of life.
Urban areas without trees experience daytime temperatures 5 to 15 degrees higher and nighttime temps 2.5 degrees higher than outlying areas with more tree canopy. Wealthier areas usually have more trees and enjoy the associated benefits. Belle Glade has an 8% tree canopy, while Jupiter and West Palm Beach have 32% and 31% respectively. With a small staff and the help of community volunteers, students, and an enthusiastic youth tree team, Community Greening has planted thousands of native trees at schools, public parks, and along roads across South Florida, including every public school in Delray.
Live oaks make a fine asset to any property, particularly because of their value as providers of shade.
An especially exciting and groundbreaking innovation has been the Community Grove, an urban orchard planted on a former illegal dumping ground in Delray that now provides free, healthy fruit to all community residents. This was awarded Florida’s “Urban Forestry Program of the Year” in 2023. To date, Community Greening has planted four urban orchards within Palm Beach County, with more to come.
Additionally, Community Greening offers numerous “tree giveaways” throughout the year, providing 100 to 300 native trees at each event. “Pick Up and Grow” and “Tree Drop Offs” are other programs provided through a partnership with the U.S. Agriculture Department and the Florida Forest Service. Through these initiatives, groups receive, free of charge, 25 native trees, shovels, water buckets, planting instructions and maintenance guides. Full-time tree technicians are also employed to help maintain trees for the first year while they are becoming established. These programs are offered to families, schools, religious institutions, neighborhood associations, and HOAs throughout South Florida.
The small white flowers of the myrsine tree, which is ideal for corners of walkways, near entries, or for natural screening.
Palm Beach would do well to learn from this generous, community serving and forward-thinking movement. Planting more native trees will also help the plight of the monarchs, by providing sustainable food and habitat for all insects and native species. And of course, none of the trees provided by Community Greening need chemicals of any kind, another essential saving grace for monarchs.
In past articles, I’ve listed numerous native trees suitable for replacing your whitefly-ridden ficus hedges. Here are several more. These can be incorporated into landscapes as specimen trees as well, in case you’ve already replaced your hedges, or don’t have any…
The black berries on marlberry follow the creamy white flowers, and are a favorite of birds.
If space is a premium, try the lovely, upright myrsine (Myrsine cubana). This narrow, columnar tree reaches a height of 15 feet with only a 3- to 5-foot spread, making it perfect for corners of walkways, near entries, or for natural screening. The deep evergreen foliage is resilient to wind and salt spray, and the small white flowers have a subtle fragrance. Birds love the clusters of blue-black berries that form along the stems. Tolerant of sun or shade and a variety of soils, this small tree will not disappoint.
Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides) is one of Florida’s most lovely and versatile small trees. Glorious clusters of fragrant white flowers streaked with red or purple appear from spring to fall, followed by stunning purplish-black fruits that attract numerous birds. The glossy dark green foliage makes a beautiful screen or background plant, and its no-fuss, salt-tolerant manner makes it an overall winner. This will reach a height of 15 to 20 feet and thrives in part to full shade. It will not do well in full sun. When in full bloom, the fragrance will entice you and your neighbors into the garden to discover the source of the perfume — pollinators love it, too.
The marlberry tree will grow to a height of 15 to 20 feet, and is very attractive to birds and pollinators.
If I could plant only one tree on my property, it would have to be live oak (Quercus virginiana). Ideally, this should be given plenty of room, as it has an ultimate height of 50 feet, but it’s a very slow grower and I have two in my small garden; I love them for so many reasons. First, they are pollinator magnets, supporting more than 300 species of insects, and thereby attracting so many birds. Their acorns provide food for squirrels, birds, and other native mammals. The dark green leathery leaves with pale undersides make a perfect foil for the many birds that find habitat in the foliage.
This is such a distinctive, elegant native tree, especially when the branches are draped with Spanish moss. Whenever I see an empty lawn, especially near the Intracoastal, I always envision a few live oaks in the center, shading some lovely tables with chairs, or perhaps supporting a hammock. Now this lawn could actually be used, instead of just smoldering away in the sun, requiring water that would be better used elsewhere, and probably being coated with fertilizers that run off into the waterway, providing fuel for more algal blooms. If you’re considering a wonderful shade tree, plant a live oak.
Iconic live oak trees decorated with Spanish moss.
And let’s all work together to restore habitat for the monarch, which means NO MORE PESTICIDES on your landscapes. Happy New Year to all!
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Monarch butterfly is fast disappearing, but you can help it survive
Read the full article here
