Monarch
Butterfly (two
photos)
Danaus plexippus

Monarch Butterfly on Antelope
Island. © Carol Davis, 10-8-2006

Monarch butterflies are one of the most beautiful butterflies in
Utah. The caterpillar feeds on the milkweed plant and the adults
take
pollen from any flower. As a kid, I remember we used to have
milkweed plants everywhere in the West, including most back
yards.
Now you have to hunt for milkweed, and large weeds of any kind in yards
are frowned upon by most cities and in some cases (like the
city I live in) are prohibited. When are we going to realize that
we can't keep watering the West AND have enough water for drinking
and for wildlife? What's wrong natural habitat such as
rabbitbrush, sage and, yes, even milkweed? I would love
to raise milkweed
and help preserve the Monarch Butterfly. How about
you? Carol Davis, 10-8-2006
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