by 
A Monarch Butterfly at the Arboretum
Federal wildlife officials and environmentalists have proposed Endangered Species Act protection for monarch butterflies – but there’s a garden action that Superior and Pinal County residents residents can take here and now to help the regal insect species: add milkweed plants to your landscape.
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias subulata) and Arizona milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia) are both crucial ‘larval host plants’ munched by Monarch caterpillars – both varietals thrive in the East Valley, they re-seed well – and are available in one-gallon containers for $10 this week as the annual Fall Plant Sale fundraiser continues at Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
Here’s a reminder that BTA members get a 20 percent discount on plant purchases during the seasonal sale – and green-thumbed experts from our own Superstition Mountain Master Gardener volunteers are there next weekend to assist and advise plant sale shoppers.
Learn more about butterflies on the ‘Season Finale’ guided walk Oct. 22 with Gail Morris at 9:30 a.m. Monarch butterflies are rarely seen at the Arboretum, October-November are the months of most frequent sightings.
Few Arizonans know as much about Danaus plexippus as Gail Morris: she coordinates ongoing statewide monarch migration research, and Gail’s an evangelist for Asclepias (milkweeds). Her guided walks include a chance to see Aslcepias varietals such as subulata and angustifolia here in Arboretum gardens, learn why gardeners should incorporate milkweed – and buy a few during the final plant sale weekend
Monarch Butterfly. Photo by Marceline Van de Water
Boyce Thompson Arboretum staff and volunteers were among founders of the SW Monarch Study (swmonarchs.org) where volunteers safely net, tag and release the ornate butterflies in remote locations around Arizona. Gail has been involved with the project for a decade, and has learned much about the inter-relationship of monarchs and milkweed (Asclepias) plants that are essential to the species’ imperiled survival.
Gail invites you to attend her guided walk and learn more about these amazing ‘jewels on the wing’ that can be lured to your home landscape – with the right nectar flowers and larval host plants added to your garden. Arizona was once thought too hot, too dry for monarchs – but research hints our state could be a crucial western migration gateway. Gail’s also a board member of the Monarch Butterfly Fund supporting research and development in Mexico – read more at http://www.monarchbutterflyfund.org.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
by by