MaryAnn Lepp is thrilled to witness a significant increase in monarch butterflies undergoing their remarkable transformation in her garden. She observed 20 caterpillars feeding on swamp milkweed in just one day this week. This surge in monarch activity is being reported by numerous Canadian enthusiasts, suggesting a surge in backyard milkweed growth due to favorable wet and hot conditions in certain Prairie areas this summer.
While it remains unclear whether the surge is primarily driven by weather conditions, conservation experts are encouraged by the surge in caterpillars, chrysalises, and monarch butterflies. This uptick is a positive indicator for the federally endangered species that undertake an epic annual migration between Canada and Mexico.
Marika Olynyk, curator of the Living Prairie Museum, noted a noticeable increase in monarch numbers in Winnipeg throughout the summer. The museum’s tall grass prairie preserve features various native plants that attract pollinators, including different milkweed species. Monarchs primarily feed on milkweed leaves during their caterpillar stage, emphasizing the importance of preserving native plants.
Despite efforts to plant milkweed and native wildflowers, their abundance remains limited due to habitat loss resulting from the conversion of grasslands to farmland. This loss of habitat poses a significant threat to monarch populations, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
The federal government designated monarchs as endangered in 2016, reflecting concerns about gaps in their protection. Efforts to estimate monarch populations are challenging, with researchers relying on monitoring tree coverage in the butterflies’ wintering grounds in Mexico. While progress has been made in raising awareness and conservation efforts, there is still work to be done to ensure the long-term survival of monarch populations.
In addition to monarchs, attention is being given to the critically endangered Poweshiek skipperling butterfly, which faces even greater threats of extinction. Efforts to breed and release Poweshiek skipperlings at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Manitoba have shown promising signs of population recovery.
Overall, the positive trends observed in monarch and Poweshiek skipperling populations this summer are attributed to favorable weather conditions and conservation efforts. These efforts are crucial in safeguarding these butterfly species and their habitats for future generations.
