As September in the southwest settles into full swing, an endangered species of butterfly is setting off on a cross-continent journey south that will bring them through the prairies.
Nature Saskatchewan is keen to give folks a gentle reminder to keep an eye out for monarch butterflies, which are known for their distinctive, vibrant orange colour.
Emily Putz, habitat stewardship coordinator for Shrubs for Shrikes, Plovers on Shore, and the Stewards of Saskatchewan Banner Program with Nature Saskatchewan, shared that monarch caterpillars are obligate milkweed feeders, while the adult butterflies feed on native flowering species of plants, including blazing star, black-eyed Susan, and smooth aster.
"It is listed federally as endangered, it was uplisted just a few years ago, and that is the highest risk category," she said. "So we're trying to raise awareness and ways that people can responsibly help their recovery."
Most monarch butterflies only live for a few weeks while flourishing in tandem with Milkweed plants on the prairies. The annual migration is a roughly 9,600-kilometre journey that takes four generations to complete, according to Nature Saskatchewan.
"Right now is the fall generation of the monarchs, those are the special ones that will survive for nine months," Putz said. "They make the entire journey south to Mexico, then they winter there before starting the new spring generation."
She also highlighted that captive rearing is strongly discouraged and can be detrimental to the wild population, as butterflies raised in captivity often lack the necessary skills to make the long migration and can introduce unfavourable genetics into the population.
Rural landowners who have monarchs on their land are welcome to get involved with the organization's Milkweed pasture monitoring program by contacting Nature Saskatchewan.
Sightings can be reported to Nature Saskatchewan's toll-free HOOT-line at +1(800) 667-4668 or by emailing outreach@naturesask.ca.