I always mow around the milkweeds that sprout up in my yard and along the driveway and one day the neighboring farmer scolded me as he pronounced disgustedly, “I hate milkweed!” I told him I wasn’t too crazy about the Roundup, Atrazine and other chemicals he freely coats the surrounding fields with, either.
It is a strange evolutionary twist. And with the footnote that the diet of milkweed makes the monarchs themselves unpalatable (to say the least). But how would such a specialization ever get started?
MIlkweed is the only larva plant for the Monarchs. cut off the seed pods before they open and you will not have milkweed all over the yard. Do collect one pod, let it open for more plants in a control area.Floridians: Get rid of the tropical milkweed as it grows constantly, the Monarch does not want to continue its flight to Mexico, interrupting the life cycle.
Ida No over 4 years ago
The struggle is real, my friends. The struggle is real.
SuicideShovel (84" stroker, 9:1 pistons) over 4 years ago
I’m hearing the voice of Wayne Knight :-D
Ontman over 4 years ago
Plant a milkweed , save some Monarchs.
Nuliajuk over 4 years ago
Yes, bird song sounds like lovely music to us. To them: “Stay away from my woman or I’ll rip every feather from your body, scumbag!”
melospiza over 4 years ago
Beautiful drawings as well as great story. Thanks Rosemary.
NaturLvr over 4 years ago
I always mow around the milkweeds that sprout up in my yard and along the driveway and one day the neighboring farmer scolded me as he pronounced disgustedly, “I hate milkweed!” I told him I wasn’t too crazy about the Roundup, Atrazine and other chemicals he freely coats the surrounding fields with, either.
AndrewSihler over 4 years ago
It is a strange evolutionary twist. And with the footnote that the diet of milkweed makes the monarchs themselves unpalatable (to say the least). But how would such a specialization ever get started?
stairsteppublishing over 4 years ago
MIlkweed is the only larva plant for the Monarchs. cut off the seed pods before they open and you will not have milkweed all over the yard. Do collect one pod, let it open for more plants in a control area.Floridians: Get rid of the tropical milkweed as it grows constantly, the Monarch does not want to continue its flight to Mexico, interrupting the life cycle.