Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Publications 9-7-2017 Milkweed Matters: Monarch Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Survival and Development on Nine Midwestern Milkweed Species Victoria Pocius Iowa State University,
[email protected] Diane M. Debinski Iowa State University,
[email protected] John M. Pleasants Iowa State University,
[email protected] Keith G. Bidne Iowa State University,
[email protected] RFoichlloawrd thi L. sH aelndlmich additional works at: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/eeob_ag_pubs UnitPeda Srta oftes theDepaErctmoenlotg ofy Aandgric uEltvuorelut, rlionhellmi@iary Basiotaloteg.eydu Commons, and the Entomology Commons TheSee nex tompc page forle addte bitioniblaiol agruthorapshic information for this item can be found at http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ eeob_ag_pubs/227. For information on how to cite this item, please visit http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ howtocite.html. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Publications by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Milkweed Matters: Monarch Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Survival and Development on Nine Midwestern Milkweed Species Abstract The population of monarch butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains has experienced a significant decline over the past 20 yr. In order to increase monarch numbers in the breeding range, habitat restoration that includes planting milkweed plants is essential. Milkweeds in the genus Asclepias and Cynanchum are the only host plants for larval monarch butterflies in North America, but larval performance and survival across nine milkweeds native to the Midwest is not well documented.