OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE MILKWEEDS AND MONARCHS Acknowledgments Table of Contents We thank Dr. David Horn, past president of the Ohio Lepidopterists, 03 MONARCH LIFE CYCLE for his thoughtful review of this publication. Our appreciation goes 04 MONARCH MIGRATION to the Ohio Lepidopterists, and Monarch Watch. These organizations work tirelessly to promote the conservation of and . 05 PROBLEMS & DECLINE COVER PHOTO BY KELLY NELSON 06 MILKWEEDS 07 OTHER MILKWEED SPECIALISTS 08 MONARCH NURSERY GARDEN Introduction 09 FIVE EXCELLENT MILKWEEDS Text and photos by Jim McCormac, Ohio Division of Wildlife, unless otherwise stated. 10 SUPERB MONARCH SOURCES The Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is one of North Amer- ica’s most iconic . The gorgeous golden-brown and black but- terfly is probably the most celebrated on the continent, and the migration of the eastern population is conspicuous and spectacular. Southbound Monarchs can appear anywhere, even in highly urban- ized locales, and the butterflies often use backyard gardens as way sta- tions. Occasionally a resting swarm of hundreds or even thousands of butterflies is encountered. The spectacle of trees dripping with living leaves of butterflies is unlikely to be forgotten.

PHOTO BY CHRIS FROST A Pictorial Journey From Caterpillar to Chrysalis to Butterfly

PHOTOS BY STEVEN RUSSEL SMITH Life Cycle Like all in the order (moths and butterflies), soon hatch. The caterpillars begin eating the milkweed foliage, and Monarchs engage in complete metamorphosis. This term indicates grow rapidly. The growth process involves five molts where the cater- that there are four parts to the life cycle: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and pillar sheds its skin and emerges as a larger . The stage between adult. A vital component of the Monarch’s life cycle is its host . molts is termed an instar. After reaching the end of its fifth and final Host are plant species that a or butterfly must have as instar, the Monarch caterpillar forms a beautiful chrysalis, in which food for the larvae (caterpillars). Caterpillars can only eat a select its tissues are transformed and reorganized into the adult butterfly. suite of plant species that is chemically compatible with that partic- Once the transformation is complete, the butterfly forces its way from ular moth or butterfly species. In the case of the Monarch, the host the chrysalis and fluid is pumped into the wings to make them ex- plants are milkweeds and (in Ohio) one very closely related species. pand. Once the wings harden the butterfly is ready to take flight. The The butterfly lays its eggs on milkweed plants, and tiny caterpillars entire process, from egg to adult butterfly, takes four to five weeks.

MILKWEEDS 3 MONARCHS Monarch Migration There are numerous migratory insects, including many moth and butterfly species. However, because of the Monarch’s large size and conspicuous coloration, its migration is the most obvious of our but- terflies. Depending on the length of the season, which can be dictated by weather, Monarchs might have from two to four different broods in Ohio. The adults produced from the last hatch will make an incredible journey to high elevation oyamel fir forests in central Mexico. This journey might entail traveling nearly 2,000 miles, one way. Once in Mexico, the butterflies congregate in massive numbers in a very few favored locales. Roosting trees are blanketed with butterflies, creating one of North America’s greatest natural spectacles. Northward migra- tion reaches the U.S. in early March. Females lay eggs on emerging milkweeds throught most of the green area on the map. The offspring Monarch nectaring on ox-eye sunflower,Heliopsis helianthoides. of this first brood then colonize the remainder of the breeding range in eastern North America.

Monarch egg on common milkweed leaf; caterpillar in back.

SOUTHWARD MIGRATION SUMMER BREEDING GROUNDS SPRING BREEDING GROUNDS WINTERING GROUNDS Monarchs resting after crossing Lake Erie, Cleveland, Ohio.

MILKWEEDS 4 MONARCHS The Problem Monarch populations have declined alarmingly in recent years. The wintering population in Mexico was at its lowest recorded level in winter 2013-2014, and many observers reported seeing few if any Monarchs in eastern North America in summer and fall of 2013. The two next lowest wintering population levels were recorded within the last decade. Experts estimate that the eastern population of Monarchs has diminished by 90% over the past twenty years. This incredible downturn in numbers serves as an environmental red flag, and efforts should be made to correct the conditions which have led to losses in the Monarch population.

Reasons Behind the Decline Scientists who study Monarchs cite several causes for population de- clines. 1) Timbering, and possibly increased infestations of bark beetles and perhaps an escalation of air pollution, have been detrimental to the Mexican oyamel fir forests where Monarchs overwinter. 2) An apparent increase in untimely weather events characterized by hail, freezing temperatures, and high winds have buffeted Monarchs on the wintering grounds and during their northbound migration. The mortality caused by storm events in 2010 was thought to be 50%. 3) A precipitous decline in milkweeds in much of eastern North America is likely a major factor in Monarch declines. The organization Monarch Watch calculates that about 2.2 million acres of po- tential milkweed – and thus Monarch – habitat is lost in the United States each year. Much of the loss in milkweeds stems from conversion of land to agricultural uses and other development, and the increasing efficiency of PHOTO BY NORADOA herbicides used in control of non-crop plants. Monarchs gather at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in central Mexico.

PHOTO BY TIMOTHY EPP

Illicit logging has threatened monarch wintering grounds.

MILKWEEDS 5 MONARCHS Milkweeds Monarchs depend on milkweeds as host plants. The butterflies de- posit eggs on milkweed plants, which then provide nutrition for the caterpillar phase of the butterfly’s life cycle. Plants in the milkweed contain poisons known as cardiac glycosides, which render them unpalatable to most insects. Monarch caterpillars, and a hand- ful of other insects, have evolved the ability to assimilate milkweed toxins. As the caterpillars, and subsequently the butterflies, seques- ter these toxic compounds in their bodies, they become distasteful to many predators. While milkweeds were long placed in their own family (Asclepiada- ceae), they are now generally considered a subfamily of the much larg- Tiny Buck's plume moths, Geina bucksi, nectaring on purple milkweed. er dogbane family (). There are 17 native species in this group in Ohio, and Monarchs will use at least 13 of them as host plants (see page 10 for complete list). If you plant milkweed, avoid using trop- ical milkweed, curassavica, which is often sold as an orna- mental plant attractive to Monarchs. It is indigenous from southern Mexico south into South America. Stick to species native to Ohio, or whatever region you live in. Monarch Watch is an excellent source for milkweeds, visit their website at monarchwatch.org/milkweed/market.

Milkweed tussock moth caterpillars, egle, resemble a mass of pipe cleaners twined together. They are a charismatic component of milkweed fauna.

Large milkweed bugs, Oncopeltus fas- The unexpected cycnia moth, Cycnia in- Milkweed blooms attract many noctur- Butterfly-weed attracts scores of interest- ciatus, are often a fixture on milkweed opinatus, is endangered in Ohio. Its cater- nal such as this banded tus- ing pollinators such as this great golden plants. pillars feed on milkweed and dogbane. sock moth, Halysidota tessellaris. digger , Sphex ichnumoneus.

MILKWEEDS 6 MONARCHS Milkweed leaf beetles, Labidomera clivicollis, are colorfully ornate, and prefer swamp milkweed.

Other Milkweed Specialists It isn’t just Monarch butterflies that depend upon milkweeds. These plants spawn a blizzard of biodiversity, especially when one includes the legions of pollinators that visit the . In addi- tion to Monarchs, there are numerous other insect species that are milkweed obligates – milkweeds are the only plants that meet their nutritional requirements. It doesn’t take much inspection of milk- weed plants to find milkweed specialists. Most of the insects that specialize on milkweeds are boldly marked in colors of black and orange. Such “loud” coloration is termed aposematic – the bright hues serve to warn would-be predators that the colorful insects are toxic, and predators quickly learn to shun them. These insects’ toxicity is derived from consuming the poisonous cardiac glyco- sides in milkweed sap. If you plant milkweeds, chances are great you will soon attract one or more of the species on this page and the previous one.

Orange assassin bugs, Pselliopus barberi, are one of many tiny predators that hunt in milkweed flowers.

MILKWEEDS 7 MONARCHS Build a Monarch BUTTERFLY-WEED COMMON MILKWEED Nursery Garden The following five species might be consid- This is one of only a handful of native Ohio The aromatic flowers of this species exude a ered über-milkweeds – species that Monarchs plants with bright orange flowers. Butter- powerfully sweet scent that can be detected seem especially attracted to for egg-laying -weed is a real attention-getter, both to many feet away. Common milkweed is aptly purposes. All are fairly easy to grow, attractive, people and insects. While Monarchs may not named, as it is by far the most frequent spe- and available in the native plant trade. Any use it as a host plant as frequently as they do cies in the state, and occurs in every county. Monarch nursery garden in Ohio should be some other milkweed species, butterfly-weed This is the species that produces the majority stocked with at least one of these species, and more than carries its weight in the garden. Its of Monarchs in Ohio. Unfortunately, com- the more, the better! To the right are five of the flowers are a magnet for all manner of pol- mon milkweed is often derided as a weed, native Ohio milkweed species that are excel- linating insects. Not only are Monarchs at- and efforts are made to eradicate it. Common lent larval hosts for the Monarchs. On page 10 tracted to its blooms, so are numerous other milkweed can spread rather aggressively, so is a list of all native Ohio milkweeds known to species of butterflies. gardeners may have to rein it in on occasion. host monarchs. Pages 10 and 11 show a small selection of native plants that are prime nectar sources for adult Monarchs, and make for at- tractive companion species in a milkweed gar- den. Don’t mow down the old plants once they have flowered. The pods of milkweeds are attractive, and release their wind-borne seeds well after the plants have bloomed. Ameri- can goldfinches make use of the silky hairs (comas) attached to milkweed seeds for their nests. Long-dead milkweed stalks that are still standing the following spring sometimes have their fibers harvested by Baltimore orioles and other birds for nesting material.

Baltimore oriole nests often incorporate the fibers from milkweed.

MILKWEEDS 8 MONARCHS PURPLE MILKWEED SULLIVANT’S MILKWEED SWAMP MILKWEED Asclepias purpurascens Asclepias sullivantii Few milkweeds can match the gorgeous ma- A true prairie species, Sullivant’s milkweed is This is our only wetland milkweed species, genta flowers of this species. So striking is exceptionally attractive to Monarchs for use and will flourish along pond margins or other purple milkweed when in full bloom that it as a nursery plant. This species was discov- damp sites. Swamp milkweed normally grows might be mistaken for an exotic ornamental. ered by William Starling Sullivant in a prai- well in rich, well-drained soils of gardens, It is fairly tolerant of a variety of conditions, rie west of Columbus, Ohio in the 1840’s and too. While its flowers are normally a stunning from partial shade to full sunlight, and dry was named in his honor. This species is one of rose-pink coloration, a form with snow-white to moist soil. Blooming period is typically in about 98 species of vascular plants originally flowers is found on occasion. It seems to be June and July. In addition to numerous spe- discovered in Ohio. Sullivant’s milkweed is a favorite of the gorgeous milkweed leaf - cies of butterflies, the flowers attract a variety one of the handsomest plants in the family, tle, Labidomera clivicollis, and Monarchs are of interesting moths. and lends itself well to prairie gardens and strongly attracted to this species. milkweed plots.

MILKWEEDS 9 MONARCHS Native Plants in the Garden When gardening for wildlife, native plants are immeasurably preferable to nonnative species. Insects, including butterflies and moths, often have specific relationships with select native plants species that is dictated by the chemical composition of the plant. Non- native plants are often chemically incompati- PHOTO BY J.L. JAHN PHOTO BY POLOSATIK ble with native insects, and as a consequence ASHY SUNFLOWER BLACK-EYED SUSAN alien plants add little if anything to the food Helianthus mollis Rudbeckia hirta web. The species pictured to the right are all native to Ohio, and would be excellent addi- tions to a milkweed garden.

Monarch Host Milkweeds The following list of species are plants in the milkweed subfamily native to Ohio and PHOTO BY GREGG WILLIAMS known to be used as host plants by Monarchs. DENSE BLAZING-STAR NEW ENGLAND ASTER Butterfly-weed, Asclepias tuberosa Liatris spicata Symphyotrichum novae-angliae Clasping-leaved Milkweed, Asclepias amplexicaulis Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca Green Milkweed, Asclepias hirtella Green-flowered Milkweed, Asclepias viridiflora Honey-vine, Poke Milkweed, Asclepias exaltata Purple Milkweed, Asclepias purpurascens Spider Milkweed, Asclepias viridis Sullivant’s Milkweed, Asclepias sullivantii

Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata PHOTO BY TIMUR DJAFAROV White Milkweed, Asclepias variegata OHIO GOLDENROD OX-EYE SUNFLOWER Whorled Milkweed, Asclepias verticillata Oligoneuron ohioense Heliopsis helianthoides

MILKWEEDS 10 MONARCHS PHOTO BY GERALD A. DEBOER PHOTO BY ANDREW OLSCHER PRAIRIE-DOCK PURPLE CONEFLOWER RATTLESNAKE-MASTER Silphium terebinthinaceum Echinacea purpurea Eryngium yuccifolium

SHALE-BARREN ASTER SMOOTH ASTER SPOTTED JOE-PYE Symphyotrichum oblongifolium Symphyotrichum laeve Eutrochium maculatum

PHOTO BY MELINDA FAWVER STIFF GOLDENROD TALL IRONWEED NARROW LEAVED MOUNTAIN MINT Oligoneuron rigidum Vernonia gigantea Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

MILKWEEDS 11 MONARCHS PUBLICATION FUNDING OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Funding for this publication was provided by donations to the state income tax checkoff program, sales of the cardinal license plate, and the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp. DIVISION OF WILDLIFE

For more information about Ohio’s native wildlife, please contact the Division of Wildlife:

1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-750-0750 Ohio Relay TTY only)

wildohio.gov

Income104 Tax0 Return 0 0 10a. Amount from line 10 on page 1 ...... 10a. , , . 11. Joint filing credit (only for married filing jointly filers; see page 16 in the instructions and 0 0 enclose documentation) % times line 10a (limit $650) ...... 11. . 12. Ohio tax less joint filing credit (line 10a minus line 11; if line 11 is more than line 10a, 0 0 enter -0-) ...... 12. , , . 0 0 13. Total credits from line 69 on page 4 of Ohio form IT 1040 (enclose page 4) ...... 13. , , . 14. Ohio income tax before manufacturing equipment grant (line 12 minus line 13; if line 13 is 0 0 more than line 12, enter -0-) ...... 14. , , . 0 0 15. Manufacturing equipment grant. You must include the grant request form ...... 15. , , . 0 0 16. Ohio income tax (line 14 minus line 15; if line 15 is more than line 14, enter -0-) ...... 16. ,,. TO PURCHASE 17. Interest penalty on underpayment of estimated tax. Check if Ohio form IT/SD 2210 0 0 is included (may be required; see instructions on page 17) ...... INTEREST PENALTY17. ,,. TO PURCHASE 0 0 18. Unpaid Ohio use tax (see worksheet on page 29 of instructions) ...... USE TAX 18. , , . 0 0 19. Total Ohio tax (add lines 16, 17 and 18) ...... TOTAL TAX 19. , , . PAYMENTS 20. Ohio Tax Withheld (box 17 on your W-2). Place W-2(s) on top of this return ...... 0 0 A LICENSE PLATE ...... AMOUNT WITHHELD20. , , . 21. 2007 overpayment credited to 2008, 2008 estimated tax payments and 2008 IT 40P extension payment(s) .. 21. 0 0 A LEGACY STAMP , , . 22. a. Refundable business jobs credit; b. Refundable pass-through entity credit; you must include certificate(s) you must include K-1(s) 0 0 0 0 , , . , , . 0 0 c. Historical building rehabilitation credit; 22. Add lines 22a, 22b and 22c ...... 22. , , . you must include certificate(s) 0 0 23. Add lines 20, 21 and 22 ...... 0 0 , , ...... TOTAL PAYMENTS23. , , . Visit your local registrar’s REFUND OR AMOUNT YOU OWE If your refund is less than $1.01, no refund will be issued. If you owe less than $1.01, no payment is necessary. 0 0 24. If line 23 is GREATER than line 19, subtract line 19 from line 23 .... AMOUNT OVERPAID24. , , . Call the Division of Wildlife 0 0 25. Amount of line 24 to be credited to 2009 estimated income tax liability ...... CREDIT25. ,,. 0 0 26. Amount of line 24 that you wish to donate to the Military Injury Relief Fund ...... 26. , . 27. Amount of line 24 that you wish to donate for Ohio’s wildlife species and conservation 0 0 of endangered wildlife ...... 27. , . 28. Amount of line 24 that you wish to donate for nature preserves, scenic rivers and pro- 0 0 office or call the BMV at tection of endangered species ...... 28. , . at or visit the 29. Amount of line 24 to be refunded (subtract amounts on 1-800-WILDLIFE 0 0 lines 25, 26, 27 and 28 from line 24) .... YOUR REFUND29. , , . 30. Amount You Owe (if line 23 is less than line 19, subtract line 23 from line 19). If pay- ment is enclosed, make check payable to Ohio Treasurer of State and include Ohio form 0 0 IT 40P (see pages 5 or 43 of the instructions) ...... AMOUNT YOU OWE 30 . , , . SIGN HERE (required) – See page 4 of this return for mailing information. I have read this return. Under penalties of perjury, I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the return and all enclosures are true, correct and complete. For Department Use Only web at wildohiostamp.gov  Your signature Date 1-888-PLATES3  Spouse’s signature (see instructions on page 9) Phone number , ,

Preparer’s name (please print; see instructions on page 9) Phone number

Do you authorize your preparer to contact us regarding this return? Yes No Code

TO MAKE A DONATION To mail a donation, send to: Wildlife Diversity Fund 2045 Morse Road Bldg G. Columbus, OH 43229-6693 Go to the second page of the 1040 income tax form for the tax checkoff program. MISSION STATEMENT Enjoy gardening for wildlife! To conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing Ohio’s fish and wildlife resources. The primary source of funding for the division comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, federal excise taxes on hunting, fishing, and shooting equipment, and donations from the public. We care about all wildlife and maintaining stable, healthy wildlife populations. Our challenge is to balance the needs of wildlife, habitat, and people.

PHOTO BY CATHY KEIFER PUBLICATION 5474 (0115) Total Quantities Printed: 10,000 Unit cost: 0.221 Publication date: 03/15