Overboard by Chip Dunham for April 27, 2020

I know that monarch butterflies need milkweed, but what I’d love to know, is why exactly do they need this plant specifically; what is so special about milkweed, that none of the other plants around will do?

Shoot him down!!

Trouble is, milkweed is poisonous to animals – specifically to dogs, cats, and horses – so a lot of people won’t be planting it for that very reason.

California has huge Monarch migration every year. A beautiful sight and so ingratiating!

Xerces society for info on butterflies. https://www.joyfulbutterfly.com/ as a source of butterfly seeds and plants for your gardens.

Chip, You qualify as a genuine space cadet.

I wanted to plant some milkweed in my yard for that very reason. But I was having trouble finding a source. Before I could, I found several coming up naturally. Now I’ve got a good amount growing in the very spot I wanted to plant the seeds.

Jonas Air is great.

What’s the mental picture of a monarch paying?

Was not aware of any of that info. Thanks.

Strange. We spent most of the 20th century trying to get rid of milkweeds and other farm pests, and now we’re trying to save them for the monarchs. Without the poisonous sap of the milkweed, the monarch caterpillar apparently tastes like prime rib to birds.

I didn’t realize the caterpillars needed the milkweed. I knew it was poisonous, so I got rid of the plants because of the cats in the neighborhood. Also, my dog was always running through them.

How will the monarch pay?

I have never heard of a dog or cat dying from milkweed. Perhaps they, like cows, know not to eat it? These animals have coexisted with milkweed for centuries, why does our generation think we need to improve on nature?

Good job, Jonas! Thank you.

Good evening, Crew!

Now that’s teamwork! As usual, our characters have good/big hearts.

Good Evening, Crew.