tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post5828095789673192341..comments2024-03-28T23:22:41.774-05:00Comments on TYWKIWDBI ("Tai-Wiki-Widbee"): Plight of the Monarch butterfly - updatedMinnesotastanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382888179579245181noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-86236801032511302012021-03-01T13:49:18.509-06:002021-03-01T13:49:18.509-06:00It certainly is possible that new overwintering si...It certainly is possible that new overwintering sites may be found; IIRC, there is mention of the discovery of a small new one in this year's annual report. The complexities involved are large, however - requirements for minimum nighttime temperature, absence of predators, availability of fresh water etc. And the arrivals from the north in the autumn have no way of knowing ahead of time whether a different place fits those needs. Evolution solves that problem by just killing off the ones who choose wrongly. Minnesotastanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382888179579245181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-7610080565328660942021-03-01T12:29:46.508-06:002021-03-01T12:29:46.508-06:00You're probably correct that the presence or a...You're probably correct that the presence or absence of several milkweed plants in your yard will not have a significant impact upon survival of the species. The presence of the plants in a suburban garden does serve as a kind of "signal" to passersby that "here lives a person who is concerned about the environment." If neighbors object, you can probably do as much for butterflies in general by planting a broad range of flowering nectar plants.<br /><br />You might also consider removing the seed pods from your milkweed plants in the autumn before they open and spread their seeds; I do that in our neighborhood even though none of my neighbors object to the presence of the plant, because I do realize that some of them are concerned about the "weed" part of the name. (I take the seedpods elsewhere to distribute along roadsides etc).Minnesotastanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382888179579245181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-11009327555984890562021-03-01T12:29:08.827-06:002021-03-01T12:29:08.827-06:00In Marjory Stoneman Douglas' "Everglades:...In Marjory Stoneman Douglas' "Everglades: River of Grass," one of the attached essays spoke of how nesting areas for birds had decreased due to drainage of large portions of the Everglades, the salt water from the Gulf gaining greater purchase in the lower Everglades due to the reduced outward flow of fresh water, and even the farming nutrients in the waters. Some birds moved well north of their usual nesting grounds. Is it possible that butterflies have done the same? That is, they are still out there...but not even in the area where we once found them?AaronShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01263323475384069306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-67207678428388478992021-03-01T11:19:21.730-06:002021-03-01T11:19:21.730-06:00For a number of years now, I've encouraged mil...For a number of years now, I've encouraged milkweed in my yard (by gathering seeds before they blow away and distributing around and so on), but I worry that a few plants here and there isn't going to actual do much to help Monarchs or other species.<br /><br />I don't think I've ever seen a Monarch in my garden (in Wisconsin), and it feels like there's a bit of a food desert in terms of other plants. I live in what feels like a very suburban neighborhood, with lots of people spraying poisons and such, and not many people trying to grow native plants or flowers. (I think most of my neighbors hate my yard because the lawn is more weedy than not.)Bardiachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11846065504793800266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-7032751861454000432014-07-01T12:07:39.167-05:002014-07-01T12:07:39.167-05:00You work for Monsanto, don't you?You work for Monsanto, don't you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-23090986873134438632014-03-31T20:41:01.587-05:002014-03-31T20:41:01.587-05:00It is a mistake to look at any short-term graph of...It is a mistake to look at any short-term graph of numbers and assume that the early portion are representative of all the past history. And 30 years IS short term.<br /><br />The 1996 and 1995 peaks may or may not be anomalies in themselves.<br /><br />Salmon counts vary a LOT and they do it in some sort of pattern of high and low periods. Those periods last about 30 years - ~30 high, and then ~30 low, back and forth. Each shift is called a "regime". There is little to no middle ground - it is in one state or the other, high or low. It is by the work of salmon biologist Steven Hare, in fact, that the climate oscillation called the "Pacific Decadal Oscillation" (PDO) was discovered - not from climate, but from salmon counts. The "shift" from one regime to the other happens within a year or two. The PDO shift from one regime to the other occurred in the early 2000s. It somewhat appears that the monarch numbers also shifted about that same time.<br /><br />So, there is a possibility that monarchs are also affected by the PDO or some similar climatic oscillation.<br /><br />To assume that the observed decline over such a short period is due to any one factor or the FIRST possible factor that comes to mind. Environmentalists have a habit of assigning blame for things without any basis at all. The numbers are the numbers, yes, but what the cause is will be in question for some time. Yes, they may holler and scream that "We don't have time! Look at that chart!" but that would be a mistake. <br /><br />I will go on record - in my non-panic mindset - as saying the numbers will recover.<br /><br />I will aslso point thsese two things out:<br /><br />1.) The article says "The bar graphs depict the 20-year trend of the acreage in Mexico utilized by overwintering Monarch butterflies."<br /><br />2.) Wiki says "In one study monarchs released during the fall migration from Albuquerque, New Mexico were found overwintering in California and in Mexico."<br /><br />This combination of facts should tell us that counting the ones in the Michoacán preserve are only part of the story.<br /><br />Thus, this whole story is more complicated than most of us commonly believe. Simple approaches, therefore, are likely to bring us to over-simplified and premature conclusions.SteveGinGTOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00697382976006839418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-55535753109874502842014-02-09T20:35:04.835-06:002014-02-09T20:35:04.835-06:00We have 32 acres and let the milkweed grow everywh...We have 32 acres and let the milkweed grow everywhere, but I saw not one Monarch this past summer. Sadly. Shoshanah Marohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07532684548824957399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-26301392662069784082014-02-05T18:23:10.619-06:002014-02-05T18:23:10.619-06:00"Not at all meaning to diminish the tragedy y..."Not at all meaning to diminish the tragedy you describe, Stan, but i can't help thinking that the plight of the Monarch is a relatively high profile endangerment story, amongst the untold thousands or millions of perhaps never-to-be-told stories concerning species without such a popular following :("<br /><br />I suspect that saving the Monarch will go a ways toward saving other species. It's not like any of them live in a vacuum.Amynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-62875484625345318202014-02-05T14:39:03.278-06:002014-02-05T14:39:03.278-06:00I would be pleased to mail you some seeds for two ...I would be pleased to mail you some seeds for two different types of milkweed (if I can find them out in my garage under the winter's detritus). Drop me an email at the address in the "About Me" segment in the right sidebar.Minnesotastanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382888179579245181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-83760833868195718692014-02-05T14:38:34.523-06:002014-02-05T14:38:34.523-06:00Bridgid, I would be pleased to mail you some seeds...Bridgid, I would be pleased to mail you some seeds for two different types of milkweed (if I can find them out in my garage under the winter's detritus). Drop me an email at the address in the "About Me" segment in the right sidebar.Minnesotastanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382888179579245181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-10945972710000940872014-02-05T14:26:39.572-06:002014-02-05T14:26:39.572-06:00If you actually can be bothered to Google Monsanto...If you actually can be bothered to Google Monsanto you will find that it is a company who are out to make money any way they can no matter what.<br />Until we repeal the Corporation act they, and all the other Corporations, will use your, yes it is your money, in your pension fund or savings account, that finances them while they destroy everything.<br />All you folks who want it all now with a good retirement are fuelling the worlds destruction.<br />Good luck.Frenchfarmernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-8184380939083135342014-02-05T14:16:32.221-06:002014-02-05T14:16:32.221-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Frenchfarmernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-83128660878450926702014-02-05T13:34:45.776-06:002014-02-05T13:34:45.776-06:00Glyphosate was developed by Monsanto, but the pate...Glyphosate was developed by Monsanto, but the patent expired in 2002. So let's give (dis)credit where (dis)credit is due. <br /><br />According to Wikipedia: Glyphosate is marketed in the United States and worldwide by many agrochemical companies, in different solution strengths and with various adjuvants, under many tradenames: Accord, Aquaneat, Aquamaster, Bronco, Buccaneer, Campaign, Clearout 41 Plus, Clear-up, Expedite, Fallow Master, Genesis Extra I, Glyfos Induce, Glypro, GlyStar Induce, GlyphoMax Induce, Honcho, JuryR, Landmaster, MirageR, Pondmaster, Protocol, Prosecutor, Ranger, Rascal, Rattler, Razor Pro, Rodeo, Roundup, I, Roundup Pro Concentrate, Roundup UltraMax, Roundup WeatherMax, Silhouette, Touchdown IQ.[29][30][31]<br />Manufacturers include Bayer, Dow AgroSciences, Du Pont, Cenex/Land O’Lakes, Helena, Monsanto, Platte, Riverside/Terra, and Zeneca.[31]<br /><br />Then again, Monsanto, in a stunning example of vertical market integration, has genetically engineered Round-Up Ready™ corn and soy hybrids, which are also licensed to other seed companies.<br />Steve Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00450550786810074858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-24254587062420737942014-02-05T12:56:06.984-06:002014-02-05T12:56:06.984-06:00I am an avid gardener, but even more a serious ins...I am an avid gardener, but even more a serious insect admirer. Thanks for the link.maggie campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04465048481796322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-1744722615771186782014-02-05T11:55:03.702-06:002014-02-05T11:55:03.702-06:00Absolutely. That's what nature does. There a...Absolutely. That's what nature does. There are additional tips for serious gardeners at Monarch Watch:<br /><br />http://www.monarchwatch.org/milkweed/prop.htmMinnesotastanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382888179579245181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-51025085219263421632014-02-05T11:19:29.332-06:002014-02-05T11:19:29.332-06:00I would like to plant milkweed... is it as simple ...I would like to plant milkweed... is it as simple as harvesting the late summer downy things that pop out of the pods??maggie campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04465048481796322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-22538282939507991142014-02-05T06:59:30.157-06:002014-02-05T06:59:30.157-06:00I too would like to help. I live in Northwest Ark...I too would like to help. I live in Northwest Arkansas and have dedicated my large front beds to humming birds. I attract a lot of butterflies and I love the monarch. In the 60's the migration came by my house in Tennessee and it was a sight to see. Send SEEDS!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-68201018625853869702014-02-04T19:36:42.574-06:002014-02-04T19:36:42.574-06:00How terribly sad! I remember lots of milkweed and ...How terribly sad! I remember lots of milkweed and lots of Monarchs from my youth in Wisconsin. I hope the Monarchs can be saved.Barbwirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17375742473254773675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-28788942393097847422014-02-04T16:09:05.591-06:002014-02-04T16:09:05.591-06:00So what I am hearing is that some high minded grad...So what I am hearing is that some high minded graduate student in cellular botany should make us some glyphosate-resistant milkweed seeds that we can plant all over. nolanddahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708768497461983779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-79576470659394587262014-02-04T12:52:13.175-06:002014-02-04T12:52:13.175-06:00Perhaps a facebook group could be made? I see FB a...Perhaps a facebook group could be made? I see FB as vulgar despite being in my 20's and thus in its exact marketing crosshairs, but its crowdsourcing potential cannot be ignored. If you started a milkweed planting group with a suitably eloquent and concise catchphrase and (more importantly) endearing image, you could revitalise the species! Living in Sydney, there's little i can do to help.Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-62538345458622798212014-02-04T12:34:10.210-06:002014-02-04T12:34:10.210-06:00If you were at all inclined to mail out baggies of...If you were at all inclined to mail out baggies of milkweed seed, I'd be glad to email you my address. I live in Chicago and have some garden spots in front of the apartment that I could plant milkweed in, and I could also seed bomb some vacant lots.Brigid Keelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09558327183683074633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-53330011449255817592014-02-04T12:31:57.708-06:002014-02-04T12:31:57.708-06:00Godspeed :(
Not at all meaning to diminish the tr...Godspeed :(<br /><br />Not at all meaning to diminish the tragedy you describe, Stan, but i can't help thinking that the plight of the Monarch is a relatively high profile endangerment story, amongst the untold thousands or millions of perhaps never-to-be-told stories concerning species without such a popular following :(Jimnoreply@blogger.com