Oklahoma Stopovers: Monarchs Need Supper
from Red Dirt And Round Bales Hosted by Dave Deken
Every fall, Oklahoma becomes a refueling stop for one of North America’s most remarkable migrations. Monarch butterflies moving south toward central Mexico may have thousands of miles to travel, and the goldenrod, asters, blazing star, sunflowers and other late-blooming plants along Oklahoma roadsides and field edges can provide the nectar they need to continue. In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken explains why the fall migration is different from the monarch generations that moved north earlier in the year. This long-lived generation may survive six to nine months and make a journey it has never made before. Milkweed remains essential for monarch caterpillars, but fall nectar becomes critical for the adults building energy reserves for migration and winter. From a barnyard flower patch to a longtime roost at Hackberry Flat, a little untidy ground can become an important stop for a very tired traveler. Red Dirt And Round Bales website
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