This week at Kiwanis, Susan Pieper presented the stages, and process of raising monarch butterflies. In 2015 her husband Fred planted milkweed near their barn, and in 2017 they raised monarchs for the first time. Monarch butterflies only lay eggs on milkweed. Because many people see it as a weed and cut it down, the monarchs are almost classified as endangered. The Paulding County Carnegie Library has a monarch display that features many books, resources, and even a monarch close to spreading its wings! Monarchs are born in “generations”. Generations 1-4 will spread their wings and focus on mating. The fifth generation however will fly south and hibernate for the winter. Pieper is part of a citizen scientist group and can tag the butterflies that hatch at her home. The longest recorded trip was made by a butterfly tagged in Canada that made its way to southern Louisiana. Tagging butterflies is harmless to the butterfly and can be fascinating to see how far they’ve traveled. To learn more about raising monarchs or the beautiful butterfly in general, fly on over to the Paulding library and learn more!
