Butterfly Weed Does It's Job

I was happy to see this Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), the only one that I observed in my yard that year. This one is nectaring on a Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a brilliantly-colored orange wildflower found in Michigan. (I have tried to plant only native species in my gardens).

 

Butterfly Weed is a member of the milkweed family, and is a host plant for Monarch and Gray Hairstreak Butterflies.

 

I've read that unusually harsh weather and a large loss of over-wintering habitat in Mexico threatens Monarch populations in some areas.

Done