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BACKYARD SECRET – WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE MONARCHS IN GEORGIA DURING THEIR FALL MIGRATION?
The best time to catch a glimpse of fall migrating monarch butterflies is during the months of September and October. Records, however, suggest the greatest number of these butterflies pass through the state in mid-October.
With that in mind, if you want to see these large orange and black butterflies, spend some time outside during the next few days.
Good luck!
TELLING GULF FRITILLARIES FROM MONARCHS
During October, we see more monarch butterflies in Georgia than at any other time of the year. Because monarchs have become so rare, when we spot a large orange butterfly flying about our yards, it is easy to assume we are looking at a monarch when it is actually a gulf fritillary. In fact, since gulf fritillaries are more common in our backyards at this time of the yard, the majority of the orange butterflies we see are actually gulf fritillaries. With that in mind, here are a few tips that will help you tell the difference of a gulf fritillary from a monarch.
The dorsal side of the gulf fritillary’s wings is bright orange and displays black spots scattered about its wings. Three black-rimmed white spots decorate the leading edge of each forewing. When this butterfly closes its wings, you will notice large silvery spots cover most of the underwing.
In comparison, the duller, orange-colored monarch is noticeably larger than the gulf fritillary. The topside of its wings is marked with prominent black veins. In addition, two rows of white spots are present near the tips of the wings. Its underwings display black veins set on a muted orange background.
Another clue to the identity of the monarch is its flight pattern. Monarchs flap their wings and they glide for a brief time; gulf fritillaries do not glide.
Both of these butterflies are beautiful; however, I wish that we would see as many monarchs as we do gulf fritillaries.
HOW FAR DO MONARCHS FLY IN A SINGLE DAY DURING THEIR FALL MIGRATION THROUGH GEORGIA?
Each fall untold numbers of monarchs pass through Georgia enroute to their winter home in Mexico. If you are a fan of these amazing insects, you might be wondering how many miles do monarchs fly southward in a single day.
As you might expect, the distance travelled depends on several factors. For example, with favorable winds, thermals, and temperatures, these winged jewels might cover up to 100 miles in a single day. On the other hand, they often fly as little as 25 miles per day. On average though, they typically fly an average of 25-30 miles per flight. The record distance flown in a day is an amazing 265 miles!
STUDY FINDS MONARCHS MIGRATING LATER
According to an article that appeared in the magazine Wildlife (published by the National Wild Federation), a study conducted on Iowa’s Camp Dodge military installation, revealed that monarchs are beginning their fall migration later in the year.
According to Montana State ecologist Diane Bebinski, the study found that monarchs are departing their fall migration an average of nine days later than they did in 2003. The results are based on the arrival and departure dates of monarchs recorded from 2003 and 2019. It should be noted that the time of milkweed flowering and monarch spring arrival dates did not change during the study.
Basbinski, the lead author of a report on the study, “This longer breeding season could have benefits and it could also have costs.” On the downside, researchers theorize that the butterfly’s later departure time could possibly harm monarch populations by exposing the butterflies to an increase in late season predators and parasites that attack monarch eggs.
It will be interesting to see if similar studies in other parts of the monarch’s range are also delaying the time they leave for Mexico each year.
DO NOT PLANT THIS MILKWEED IN YOUR GARDEN
With each passing year, more Georgia gardeners are planting milkweeds in hopes their efforts will bolster the dwindling monarch butterfly population. The University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Program recommends we do not plant the common milkweed in our gardens (Asclepias syriaca) in the state.
This reason they want us to defer from planting this particular milkweed is it is not native to Georgia. This recommendation is based on the fear that this milkweed could potentially become invasive and usurp habitats currently occupied by Georgia’s native milkweeds and other wild plants.
DO NOT PLANT THIS MILKWEED IN YOUR GARDEN
With each passing year, more Georgia gardeners are planting milkweeds in hopes their efforts will bolster the dwindling monarch butterfly population. The University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Program recommends we do not plant the common milkweed in our gardens (Asclepias syriaca) in the state.
This reason they want us to defer from planting this particular milkweed is it is not native to Georgia. This recommendation is based on the fear that this milkweed could potentially become invasive and usurp habitats currently occupied by Georgia’s native milkweeds and other wild plants.
THE BLACK-EYED SUSAN – A BEAUTIFUL HOST PLANT
If you are searching for a native plant that has stunning blossoms, provides food for pollinators, and is a butterfly host plant, look at the black-eyed Susan.
I doubt there is a Georgia gardener that cannot identify the black-eyed Susan. It provides beauty to the countryside and backyard gardens alike. It also does well in containers; my wife has raised black-eyed Susans in large containers on our deck for the last couple of years. While we enjoy the beauty the plants provide just outside our backdoor, we also like the fact its blooms are favorite dining spots for many pollinators. While we occasionally see butterflies such as pearl crescents on the blooms, small bees seem to visit the blossoms more often than any other insects.
On top of all of these virtues, this tall native plant also serves as a host plant for the silvery checkerspot butterfly.
If you do not have the black-eyed Susan growing in your gardens, give this one a try.
BACKYARD SECRET – STAGERING SOWING ZINNIA SEEDS PROVIDES BUTTERFLIES WITH NECTAR UNTIL FROST
Zinnias have long been a favorite of Georgia gardeners. They not only adorn our flower gardens with a wide variety of blossoms, they provide food for a wide range of butterflies and other pollinators. However, since we typically sow zinnias seeds only in the spring, zinnia blooms are scarce in autumn… This is unfortunate as pollinators often find food hard to find late into the fall. Here are a couple of ways you can alleviate this situation.
One way that you can prolong the zinnia’s blooming period is by deadhead plants. This will stimulate the plants to produce more blossoms. The downside of this practice is you eliminate a food source for songbirds.
Another way that you can enhance the availability of zinnia blossoms until frost is stagger the times you sow seeds. By sowing seeds every few weeks well into the summer, when some zinnias fade away, they are replaced by plants just coming into bloom.
This simple practice will enhance the available of nectar and pollen well into autumn a when food is often scarce and add color to your gardens.
BEEBALM IS A HUMMINGBIRD, BEE AND BUTTERFLY MAGNET
Beebalm (Monardo didyma) is also known as Oswego tea or monarda), is a plant that anyone trying to attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators need to plant in their backyard. This perennial native is easy grow and produces flowers from June into September. It grows to a height of one to five feet. Beebalm grows best in moist to dry soil types. It will grow in partial shade to full sun.
