Iconic and easily recognizable – Monarch butterflies have one of the world’s most spectacular mass migrations – spanning three or more generations and up to 2,800 miles!
These orange hued pollinators make it all the way from their winter hibernation sites in Mexico to Canada and back.
Monarchs play a very important role as pollinators in our local ecosystem, right here in St. Louis. And while the monarch butterfly population has overall increased from the record lows of the past three years, the population remains 32% below the historic average. This is where we all can help!
August and September are peak times for their travel through the St. Louis-area. To help monarch populations thrive, start by planting milkweed and other butterfly-friendly plants in your own yard and outdoor living areas.
Here is a link to the St. Louis Monarch Mix, a recommendation of native milkweed species and other plants that provide nutrition to the butterfly through various life stages. This unique mix of plants bloom at different times in the growing season, offering seasonal color and important food and nectar sources for butterflies for the spring and fall monarch migration.
Keep an eye out for these beautiful creatures and please feel free to share photos on our Facebook page when you spot them migrating through our local habitat!