Milkweed Watch Montreal/Asclépiade alerte Montréal

A project to document milkweed sightings in the Greater Montreal region. It could be enlarged to include Quebec, if needed. Why document them? The aim is to locate Milkweed patches and inform people in the nearby area as to the significance of Milkweed in helping the monarch butterfly survive. This years storm was terrible for them (2016). The majority of people do not realize the importance of the milkweed plant in their survival. They are frequently surprised to learn they can play a part in helping the species make a comeback.

Recently, milkweed populations have diminished dramatically due to factors such as development and the use of herbicides,winter storms, which has played a significant part in the monarch butterfly's dramatic population decline.

Adult food sources

Nectaring on purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Although larvae eat only milkweed, adult monarchs feed on the nectar of many plants including:

Apocynum cannabinum – Indian hemp
Asclepias sp. – milkweeds
Aster sp. – asters
Cirsium sp. – thistles
Daucus carota – wild carrot
Dipsacus sylvestris – teasel
Echinacea sp. – coneflowers
Erigeron canadensis – horseweed
Eupatorium maculatum – spotted Joe-Pye weed
Eupatorium perfoliatum – common boneset
Hesperis matronalis – dame's rocket
Liatris sp. – blazing stars
Medicago sativa – alfalfa
Solidago sp. – goldenrod
Syringa vulgaris – lilac
Trifolium pratense – red clover
Vernonia altissima – tall ironweed[29]

Monarchs obtain moisture and minerals from damp soil and wet gravel, a behavior known as mud-puddling. The monarch has also been noticed puddling at an oil stain on pavement.

References

Asclepias syriaca. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Lamoureux, G. et al. (1978). Plantes sauvages des villes et des champs. Fleurbec/Éditeur officiel du Québec. ISBN 2-920174-00-2. menos ↑