A sign in Susan Reagan's yard describes the purpose of her garden.
For three years, Susan and husband, Chris, have been turning their small plot in southeastern Virginia into a butterfly haven that's now a certified Monarch Waystation and the small sign indicates all the pieces are in place. The site features milkweed, nectar sources and shelter needed to sustain monarch butterflies as they migrate through North America; official certification comes from the nonprofit Monarch Watch -- monarchwatch.org/waystations.
"I have always been interested in butterfly conservation, and while I was a science teacher, I participated in several professional development courses on raising butterflies and using them in the classroom," Susan says.
"Monarchs need our help. In the fall, hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada to areas in Mexico and California where they wait out winter until spring. Monarch migration is one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Unfortunately monarch populations are decreasing."
Her Monarch Waystation requires three major elements. First, host plants such as milkweed are planted everywhere so the caterpillars that turn into majestic monarchs have plenty of food to consume. The waystation website states there should be at least 10 plants representing several types of milkweed.
Then, monarchs -- and other butterflies -- need nectar plants, including annuals and perennials: lantana, Mexican sunflower, zinnia, dianthus, bee balm, black-eyed Susan, goldenrod, coreopsis, purple coneflower, sedum and Joe-Pye weed.
Protective shelter for the monarchs is provided by placing plants close together.
"Butterfly gardens are easy and don't take much work," Susan says.
"Just buy a few host plants like milkweed, fennel, parsley or sunflowers. Put a few plants in the ground in full sun and water them. You will be amazed who shows up."
Because of the warm climate and continuous availability of host plants, much of Florida's monarch population stays in the state year-round and breeds continuously throughout the year.
Year-round residents are more common in Southern Florida, as cold winter temperatures in Northern Florida can kill monarchs at any life stage. In addition to resident populations, the state also hosts migratory monarchs from northeastern North America, but there are competing hypotheses regarding how these migrants travel to, from or through Florida.
Florida is a terminal destination for some migrating monarchs from the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada.
It is also possible that Florida is a stopover for migrating monarchs on their way to the Mexican wintering grounds. Recent studies contend that monarchs found in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Florida Panhandle) are heading to Mexico, whereas those found in Southern Florida spend their winters either in Southern Florida, Cuba or other areas of the Caribbean.
-- University of Florida's IFAS Extension website is edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw311
Editor's note: A black swallowtail butterfly larva was initially misidentified in a photo with this report.