Endangered monarch butterflies are winging through southwest IL, and you can help them

Meredith Howard
·4 min read
2

Monarch butterflies remain a nostalgic sign of warmer days to many in the St. Louis region, but the important species is at risk.

The monarch butterfly is considered to face the threat of extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Monarchs usually make their way to the St. Louis region by late April or early May, but Ed Spevak, curator of invertebrates at the Saint Louis Zoo, told the News-Democrat he has seen their numbers dwindle over the years.

“Personally, I’ve seen one monarch so far this year. I know other people have seen many more, but in general, you just don’t see them as much as you used to,” Spevak said.

Here’s what to know about monarch butterflies in southwest Illinois and St. Louis, including how you can help protect them.

Monarch population decline

Habitat loss and climate change pose threats to monarch populations, the IUCN reports, and the species is considered endangered.

“When we see these changes in weather patterns where it should either be warm or cooler until a later time, the aspect of climate change is drastically affecting a lot of our species,” Spevak said. “So this loss of habitat, combined with climate change, is really kind of causing a turmoil to a lot of species, and that has ramifications far beyond when we think about our monarchs.”

The effects of pollinator population loss are widespread and can have potentially dangerous outcomes. Spevak said he was doing some work in Montana recently when the town he was in started experiencing increased interactions with black bears and grizzly bears, which depend on huckleberry supply.

After a cold, wet spring, bee activity had likely been affected and the huckleberry bloom didn’t live up to its usual peak, Spevak said. This caused bears to head into town looking for a food source.

More than 100 crops grown in the U.S. depend on pollinators, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Planting native species for monarch butterflies also protects bees, songbirds and other important fixtures in the ecosystem, Spevak continued.

Monarch migration activity is currently “high” across the Midwest, according to Journey North, a wildlife migration tracking organization. So far this year, monarch sightings have been reported in Collinsville, Hecker, St. Louis and more locations near Belleville.

If you spot a monarch butterfly anywhere in the U.S., you can report it to Journey North to support tracking efforts.

How to help in the metro-east, St. Louis region

The good news is people who are interested in conservation can play a significant role in providing for monarchs in the St. Louis area.

“The beautiful thing about being a monarch conservationist or pollinator conservationist is everybody can get involved,” Spevak said.

Monarch butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs, and there are several species people can plant in southwest Illinois and St. Louis.

In the Midwest, common milkweed and marsh or swamp milkweed are good options. Common milkweed tends to thrive in full sun and disturbed habitats, while marsh milkweed prefers shade and a slightly wetter environment, Spevak explained.

You can plant milkweed in your backyard or in a community garden. Common milkweed can spread quickly and get pretty big, but Spevak said there’s no reason to worry unless you’re planting several acres of it.

If your backyard milkweed starts taking over your garden, just check it for any eggs and caterpillars before pulling it.

Southwest Illinois and St. Louis-area residents with or without yards may also consider getting involved with and planting in one of these community gardens:

Whether you’re planting in a shared garden or in your backyard, Spevak said it’s important to coordinate with your neighbors and make conservation a community effort.

“If we’re going to succeed in conservation, we also need to reconnect with our neighbors and our communities so that we’re all working together,” Spevak said.

Staying in touch with your neighbors and city about your planting plans can help create monarch migration corridors, Spevak continued. This helps to heal fragmented habitats.

Local ordinances or city codes may regulate milkweed planting. Milkweed 7 inches or taller may be considered a “public nuisance” in St. Louis City.

Where to see monarchs around St. Louis

Along with the outdoor areas of the Saint Louis Zoo, the facility’s Mary Ann Lee Butterfly Wing also hosts monarch butterflies from time to time.

You could also stop by the Missouri Botanical Garden, which boasts a variety of native plants, as well as more exotic species.

The Shaw Nature Preserve and Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House are also options.

Your local park may also be a great place to enjoy butterfly watching. If it doesn’t already have a variety of native plants, you could reach out to your local parks department to look for planting opportunities.