United States
£ GBP
The plight of the monarch butterfly has captured public attention and sparked widespread interest in helping to save their dwindling populations. In this in-depth portrait of the monarch butterfly – covering its life cycle, its remarkable relationship with milkweed, its extraordinary migration, and the threats it now faces due to habitat loss and climate change – detailed instructions on how to design and create monarch-friendly landscapes are enriched by guidance on observing and understanding butterfly behaviour and habits. Following the model of their previous best-selling book, 100 Plants to Feed the Bees, the Xerces Society provides at-a-glance profiles of the plant species that provide monarchs with nourishment. The plants, which are all commercially available, range from dozens of species of milkweed – the only food of monarch caterpillars – to numerous flowering plants, shrubs, and trees that provide nectar for the adult butterfly, including those that bloom in late season and sustain monarchs in their great migration. Gorgeous photographs of monarchs and plants, plus illustrations, maps, and garden plans, make this a visually engaging guide.
Preface
Part 1: North American Royalty
1. The Life of a Monarch
2. Creating and Protecting Monarch Habitats
Part 2: The Plants Monarchs Need
3. The Extraordinary Milkweed
4. Non-Milkweed Host Plants
5. Nectar Plants: Native Wildflowers
6. Nectar Plants: Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
Appendixes
Community Science Projects
Resources
Selected References
Acknowledgments
The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. Established in 1971, the Society is at the forefront of invertebrate protection worldwide, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement conservation programs. They are the authors of 100 Plants to Feed the Bees, Farming with Native Beneficial Insects, and Attracting Native Pollinators.
