The Monarch butterfly is endangered and every time I go to Monterey I see those signs; ‘plant Milkweed’.
I love the Monarch butterfly. It is a regal orange and black insect that gives me great joy when I see one. One of my Facebook friends said “Seeing a butterfly means joy, beauty, fragility.” I have to agree, those words are the feelings I recognize when I am in the presence of this delicate creature.
So I planted Milkweed. One tall one. One Narrow Leaf Milkweed. I also planted 2 Butterfly Milkweed plants.
Recently, the Monarch butterfly you see in the photograph was hovering around me as I was near the Milkweed plants. The butterfly landed several times and appeared to be turning the leaves. I wondered if it was laying eggs. I knew I would know soon enough.
Today, I went out to water and I noticed the Narrow Leaf Milkweed leaves had multiple holes. Upon closer inspection, I saw yellow bugs all over the plant. I also saw some very tiny baby Monarch caterpillars. I thought the yellow bugs might be aphids, and I was right. Next, I had to find a remedy.
I went straight to the Internet and found one that was safe and that I had the ingredients to make. The recipe was daunting. I didn’t need a gallon of the cure! I cut it down to a manageable size and went to work removing aphids.
Here is the mixture I used.
1TBS 90% Isopropyl Alcohol
1TBS White Vinegar
1TBS Blue Dawn
8 Cups of Water
I purchased all of these items on Amazon during the pandemic, so I have included links here.
The instructions I read said I had to crush the aphids and to use gloves so as not to get my fingers stained by the yellow color, or to use this mixture and put it directly on the aphid. I tried the finger technique, but, it seemed slow and clumsy. I mixed up the aphid brew and used a cotton swab to wipe the aphids off the leaves with the swab soaked in the mixture.
I am looking forward to more butterflies and flowers from the plants to add color to the yard. I think I need a sign… Monarch Butterflies welcome here.