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Pics of Monarch's feeding on natives

Posted by dandy_line 3B (Brainerd, Mn) (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 11, 12 at 0:46

I caught these Monarch butterflys as they were feeding. They are only using natives. I'm sure they must be very important in the Spring migration.

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A pair feeding on Wood Geranium

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Really beat up old girl on Virginia Bluebells


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Pics of Monarch's feeding on natives

Nice photos. Thanks for sharing. Most of my friends think that butterflies and native insects feed better on natives, and I agree. Some hybrids appear to be OK, but not all. If you have not read Tallamy's book, you should.


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RE: Pics of Monarch's feeding on natives

Very cool - I have yet to see a Monarch this year. It seems their migration through the midwest and even along coastal New England is much earlier than where I live. :(

It is amazing to ponder the distance that that "beat up old girl" has traveled to find herself nectaring on your bluebells in Minnesota!


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RE: Pics of Monarch's feeding on natives

I have a mixed border near the driveway with natives and non-natives: some cosmos and zinnias, and some black-eyed Susans and echinacea. The butterflies seem to prefer the echinacea and black-eyed susans over the non natives! (They do like the cosmos and zinnias, too, though - I suppose they are native to Central America - perhaps Monarchs are used to them, as well, on their long migration route.)


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