Producer: Vince Patton Videographers: Nick Fisher, Todd Sonflieth, Michael Bendixen Editor: Lisa Suinn-Kallem Additional Photos & Video: Warren & Laurie Halsey, Stephanie Hazen, Jim & Bonnie Kiser, Vince Patton, Jialiang Gao, Dr. Pablo Jaramillo López-UNAM, México Special Thanks: Stephanie Hazen, Chris Carvalho
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants.
Courtesy: Stephanie Hazen.
Monarch butterfly populations have declined 90 percent across the US. A key piece of their habitat has been wiped out by farms and urban sprawl.
Monarchs, when in their caterpillar stage, rely on milkweed for food. They also incorporate milkweed toxins making their own bodies taste terrible to birds, shielding them from being eaten.
Todd Sonflieth / OPB
Milkweed is the single most important plant for monarchs. It’s the only one they lay their eggs on and young caterpillars eat.
Jim Kiser checks on milkweed he planted at George Fox University in Newberg.
Michael Bendixen / OPB
People are encouraged to plant milkweed wherever they can to help monarchs along their long migration routes.
A monarch caterpillar and a monarch chrysallis side by side.
Nick Fisher / OPB
Resources and Information
US Fish & Wildlife: Save the Monarch
How Your Backyard Can Help Monarchs