Milkweed
The milkweed plant provides food and shelter for a variety of insects including nectar seeking bees, monarch butterflies and other butterflies, as well as different beetles such as longhorn beetles and leaf beetles. These "weeds" typically grow in fields and along side roads where the soil is moist.
The population of milkweed is quickly on the decline due to urban and suburban development as well as agricultural intensification. The rapid loss of milkweed plays a key role in the declining health of monarchs.
By planting milkweed and not removing the plants from your property you can help save the monarchs as well as the other insects who benefit from the plant.
Bees
You can see a wide variety of native bees enjoying the sweet nectar of milkweed. With bee health on the decline it is important to stop removing milkweed from your yards.
Butterflies
Milkweed is the only food for monarch butterfly larvae. These butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed so that their offspring may eat.
Milkweed Bugs
These bugs feed exclusively on Milkweed. Therefore they are no danger to the other plants in your garden. They help to control the milkweed which can be both invasive and an important food source and breeding location.
Write a comment