Mike Malloy

We are lucky here in Southwest Florida: We have a healthy year round butterfly population.

Our butterfly population flourishes during the summer months due to our hot, tropical weather and — because it stays relatively warm — even during the winter months (this year winter fell on January 7th and 9th).

Basically, our monarchs stay here all winter, unlike in colder climates when they will migrate south to Mexico. There are two migration routes monarchs take in the fall; east of the Rockies and west of the Rockies. They both end up in Mexico.

This is the first article in a multi-part series featuring the butterflies of southern Florida. I'm going to begin with the monarch of course, which is probably the most recognized butterfly in the world.

Monarchs, queens and soldiers are members of the Danaus genus. Their larvae all feed on the same host plant (a plant that female butterflies lay their eggs on). That plant is milkweed.

There are hundreds of milkweed varieties, but only a few are sustainable in Florida. These include scarlet milkweed (Asclepias), which can be red or yellow and is the most readily available; giant milkweed (Calotropis); orange milkweed (tuberosa); white milkweed (perennis); and balloon milkweed (Asclepias physocarpa). Milkweed actually does double duty, acting as a host plant and a nectar plant (a plant that adult butterflies feed on).

Some interesting facts about our butterfly friends:

►Did you know that monarchs contain a toxin that makes them very distasteful to potential predators?

►Milkweed is the monarch's favorite plant and the only plant their larvae will consume. They will wander off and die before they eat anything else.

► Although monarchs and queen butterflies look similar, you can distinguish a queen's larvae from a monarch's by determining how many antenna sets they have. A queen has three sets, one on the head, middle and rear of the larva body. A monarch has only two, one on the head and one on the rear.

► Now let's talk about the monarch's dating habits. All the males in the Danaus genus have scent sacks on their hind wings, which emit a fragrance that attracts female butterflies.

Monarchs are easy to identify because they are bright orange, whereas the queen and soldier butterfly have more of a mahogany color. However, they all have white spots bordering the outside of their fore wings.

If you've never seen a monarch chrysalis, then you've missed something truly special. They are intricate little works of art. The most prominent color is a soft jade green, complemented by a rich gold band that encircles the top. Queen and Soldier chrysalis look similar; however, the queen’s chrysalis will sometimes have a pink hue. Over the years, many jewelers and craftsmen have tried unsuccessfully to duplicate these delicate masterpieces, but Mother Nature still holds the patent on that.

Monarchs need all the extra assistance we can give them now, so plant more milkweed in your garden, in pots or in window boxes. I guarantee that soon after, you'll have plenty of beautiful butterflies fluttering around your yard. The good news is that in the south the monarch population is currently on the rise, which makes us butterfly enthusiasts very happy. In the meantime, don’t forget to plant milkweed and keep butterflying!

Mike Malloy, known as Naples “butterfly guy” sells host and nectar plants as well as tropical plants at the Third Street South farmer’s market every Saturday morning.