Posted by Leonard Steinberg on May 7th, 2012
The Monarch butterflies have landed at the HUDSON RIVER PARK. ….but aren’t they supposed to come in June? Yesterday while strolling down the park I witnessed thousands of these magnificent butterflies scattered over the magical lavender-colored beds of Catmint, New York’s equivalent to Provence’s lavender. Were they really Monarch’s or are they the impostors disguised as Monarch’s who know how birds avoid eating them?
Every year the monarch makes a long journey thousands of miles south to escape the harsh winters of the North. The monarch butterfly begins its migration in September and travels for 30-45 days. Monarchs originating east of the Rocky Mountains and as far north as Canada make their way to the quiet, cool mountains of the Transvolcanic Region in central Mexico, about 60 miles west of Mexico City in the state of Michoacan. Migrating monarchs can be observed along the City’s beaches and coastal parks. Monarchs from New York City travel as much as 2,100 miles, averaging 50 miles a day, to reach their destination by the end of October. Resting in the chilly treetops, the butterflies hibernate for four months, covering oyamel fir trees (Abies religiosa) in thick layers that resemble black and orange leaves. During this period, the monarchs sit quietly with their wings folded, living off of fat reserves.
When the weather warms, usually in March, the monarchs come out of hibernation and mate. After mating, they begin their return trip to the southern USA. There they lay their eggs on milkweed plants and die, entrusting their offspring to fend for themselves. The milkweed is an important food source for monarch caterpillars. As the larvae gorge themselves on the leaves, they accumulate the milkweed’s toxic cardiac glycosides and become poisonous to birds and other predators.
After about a month of feeding, the caterpillars pupate and metamorphose into adults. The adult monarchs continue the journey north and also lay eggs. By late June, the third generation of monarchs reaches New York City, but this year they arrived in EARLY MAY. What exactly does this mean? This fourth-generation spends its time storing energy from nectar so they can make the long journey to Mexico in September. Will they leave later this year?
Ah, the joys of observing nature at its best in the park Downtown New York never thought possible.