From bluebonnets to evening primroses, wildflowers are blanketing Texas green spaces right now, and you know what that means: the butterflies are coming.
Specifically, Monarch butterflies are coming. The bright creatures frequent the Lone Star State during their migration north at this time of year, relying on native plants for habitat and food.
The large, orange insects are a beautiful sight — and are even the state insect of Texas — but due to declining populations, they’re in need of help.
We spoke with Matt Morris at the Zilker Botanical Garden to learn more about Monarchs’ significance to Texas, and what you can do to support them in your own backyard.
A “funnel state”
Some Monarch butterflies will stay in Texas year-round, but most are merely making a pit stop on a 3,000-mile journey, the longest of any insect.
The route begins in Mexico’s Michoacan forests in the early spring, and spans all the way to Canada over the course of the next several months. When the weather begins cooling down again for fall, Monarchs will make their way back down south, settling again in Mexico for the winter.
Over the course of the process, the insect populations will go through four generations.
Texas is a vital state to support this process, Morris said, because it acts like a funnel between Mexico and the northern US — this means Texas plants are crucial for habitat + food during Monarchs’ journey.
The insects particularly need the support on their way south during the fall, Morris said, as they need to eat more to sustain their winter in Mexico. Taking into account that Monarch populations have fallen by 80% in the last two decades, supporting their survival is even more vital.
Luckily, there’s plenty Texans can do to support the orange beauties in their own backyard. Keep reading for Morris’ tips.
Help them in your backyard
Now is the time to start planning for summer and fall gardens, Morris said. If you want to see Monarchs eating + thriving in your own backyard, here’s what you can do. (Pro tip: These actions will also help sustain other pollinators, like native bees.)
- Plant nectar sources: Feed the butterflies with flowering plants such as goldenrods, frostweeds, asters, sunflowers, and purple coneflowers. Find a full list here.
- Plant habitat: Morris says habitat planting isn’t as important as nectar planting, as species like native milkweed are common in Texas’ green spaces. However, if you still want to provide your own shelter for the butterflies, you can plant native or tropical milkweed on your property, as well.
Because female Monarchs lay so many eggs, saving just one of the butterflies could carry on to result in 5,000+ more by the end of the migration cycle.
See Monarchs and other butterflies yourself at Zilker Botanical Garden, or track where Monarchs are migrating now online.
