Monarch Mania Begins in My Summer Garden

[Dee & Frank Hughes]

It happened today. We've been waiting. Patiently waiting. Today the first Monarch Butterfly appeared in our garden.

Now why is this such a big deal? Two reasons I guess. We're all becoming citizen scientists these days. There are Back Yard Bird Counts, we stretch the limits of recycling, we study botany and help reseed our habitat with native plants. The list goes on and is long. In our house we recently learned that the Monarch Butterfly is a unique little critter. It begins an annual migration from Mexico in February and March heading towards it's northern breeding grounds. The Monarchs who begin this flight don't complete it. They mate, die and the next generation flies on. They mate , die- well you get the idea. This goes on until the 4th and last generation of the season is born. These guys rest up (no mating allowed) then head to winter quarters in Mexico.
So the citizen scientist in me wondered when I would see the first Monarch in Matthews? Would it be one of the returning flock in late summer? My educated guess is that the young lady (I think) in the picture above is one of the second generation making it's way north. If so she will be looking for milkweed to lay her eggs and get the third generation started. Lucky for her she'll find some in our garden.
Now the other reason this is such a big deal is that the Town of Matthews will be celebrating Monarch Mania Day in September. You haven't heard of Monarch Mania?
You will.