BY STEFANIE LELAND

On March 18th, Donna Griffin Mays, a passionate butterfly enthusiast, was chasing two black swallowtail butterflies in southern Oklahoma, just outside of Marlow. During her pursuit, she spotted the first monarch butterfly in Oklahoma this year, Donna remarked, “This sighting is about 10 days ahead of my usual first monarch sighting, which is around the 28th of March each year.” The monarch traveled over a thousand miles from the oyamel fir forests in Mexico in search of milkweed to lay eggs for the next generation. It was found fueling its wings and feeding on henbit, a low-growing, early-blooming plant with small purple flowers.

In early spring, nectar resources are minimal for pollinators in Oklahoma and this year, wildfires are leaving less for migrating monarchs to feed on. Early-blooming plants like henbit, clover, dandelions, and spring beauties—often considered “weeds”—can provide vital nectar.

Marci Hawkins, Conservation Specialist at Monarch Watch, emphasized the importance of these “weeds” for monarchs: "There's a lot of value in the purple patches in your yard. If people can allow these plants to thrive by refraining from mowing them until other nectar sources become available, these spots will provide a welcoming carpet of flowers for the monarchs when they arrive.”The tattered wings of these remigrant butterflies are a testament to the long and challenging journey they’ve endured. After traveling south to Mexico for the winter, then migrating back north, monarchs rely on early-blooming nectar plants to fuel their search for milkweed, where they will lay eggs to continue the migration.

“Many of these plants are not native, but they are nevertheless sources of nutrition for pollinators during a time of need. Allowing them to bloom during this early spring time will help provide monarchs with a much-needed fueling station,” said Katie Hawk, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Monarch Society. “Be mindful of your HOA and municipal regulations. We are not encouraging anyone to forego mowing. But rather, give these plants a bit more time between mowing to put up their flowers. Whether it’s a small, medium or large portion of your yard, native pollinators will thank you.” 

Get tips on mowing for monarchs at okiesformonarchs.org.

How else can Oklahomans help monarchs? 

Plant Milkweed and Wildflowers

Native milkweed and wildflowers are essential for monarchs. Milkweed is the monarch’s host plant, and thus it is a must. Monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on milkweeds and this is the only type of plant the caterpillars will eat. What to plant, where to buy and plant sales statewide can be found on the Okies for Monarchs web site at okiesformonarchs.org.

Report Your Monarch and Milkweed Sightings

Citizen scientists can help track monarch populations by reporting sightings to Journey North. Reporting monarchs, milkweed emergence, and egg sightings increases our understanding of monarch behavior and conservation needs. Learn more at journeynorth.org.