Monarch butterflies get a break in Mexico as illegal logging seems to be under control. But in the U.S., they face drought, climate change, wildfires and now, aerial insect ides being sprayed in Dallas to combat West Nile virus carried by mosquitos.
Sunflowers, great for the butterfly garden, are prolific with flowers and later seeds. Yours are probably hanging their heads by now. Here's how to harvest the sunflower seeds for your bird feeder, a protein-rich snack, or to plant next year.
One of the founders of the Monarch butterfly roosting spots in Michoacan, Mexico lives a quite life in Austin, Texas. The story of Catalina Trail, a soft-spoken woman that Monarch butterfly history has overlooked.
For a fun nature getaway, check out Alamo, Texas. The small town sits in the center of the Rio Grande Valley and makes a perfect base for exploring the bird and butterfly hotspots of South Texas.
Happy Pollinators week! Don't squish that tomato hornworm--she turns into the magnificent Sphinx Moth, which pollinates various flowers, including the Agave plant.
Gather milkweed seeds now! It's a good time to gather milkweed seeds for future butterfly gardens. If you transplant milkweed seedlings in this summer heat, be sure to give them some shade and lots of water--Tropical milkweed can't take the brutal Texas heat.
Snout butterflies have invaded South Texas en masse and may show up in Austin and San Antonio soon. Don't wash your car til its over. And remember to "brake for the butterflies."
Relay the story of the magnificent Monarch butterfly migration in six minutes and 40 seconds? Impossible? Nah. We did it at Pecha Kucha Night San Antonio, using the migration itself as a springboard for inspiration. Watch the video.
The Lone Star state and a perfect storm of weather circumstances get credit for the 2012 banner butterfly year, says Dr. Chip Taylor of Monarch Watch.
Beetlemania busts out at the San Antonio River Museum Reach Milkweed Patch. Harmless to humans, red-and-black milkweed beetles have overtaken the celebrated Milkweed Patch normally occupied by Monarch caterpillars and butterflies.
