Orange Flutters of Spring

There are classic signs of Spring all around us: flowers blooming, warm rain, and the emergence of flora and fauna that have been dormant all winter. For me, seasons changing bring with them a sense of excitement and a bit of anxiety. There is a feeling of newness that comes with the springtime. A feeling of evolution from our winter selves that have been bundled up to the emergence of shorter sleeves and sunshine. The perfect visualization of the journey between winter and the new life of spring is the Monarch butterfly.

I hold a hint of jealousy for the Monarch because it gets to migrate to warm places and avoid the snow that we see here in Northwest Indiana (and it doesn’t even send a postcard!). In the spring months, the delicate butterfly begins its migration back from Mexico to the Southern region of the United States, in search of a milkweed plant to lay its egg on. When it finds this special plant, the lifecycle and the miracle of the Monarch begins. After the laying of the eggs, the caterpillar will hatch and eat its egg and the milkweed plant it is laid on. It will feed and feed on this plant until it has the energy and resources to form a chrysalis, a cocoon-like structure where the caterpillar will undergo its final transformation. After about two weeks in the chrysalis stage, the soft orange wings of the butterfly will emerge and it will continue its journey north towards places like the Indiana Dunes!

Just like most things in nature, butterflies rely on signals from the environment in order to start their migration process. When it starts becoming too hot in their winter home, they journey further north to lay eggs and escape the heat. Climate change and habitat destruction are causing major issues for these travelers. Changing weather patterns may give false cues to begin migrating and as a result, they start their journey too early. When they finally arrive at their destination, the milkweed is not mature enough to support their eggs. Deforestation and habitat degradation also contribute to the loss of the ecosystems that allow milkweed to thrive. This can be as severe as illegal logging of Oyamel fir trees in Mexico or the use of dangerous herbicides and pesticides within local communities. It is important that humans recognize and learn about the impacts of these practices in order to better inform their practices in the future!

The Indiana Dunes National Park is in a unique position because it is a stopover point for the Monarch butterfly in both the spring and fall. It is a place where they will stop to rest and gather the energy needed to continue their journey. I would encourage you to do two things this spring. 1) Hike the beautiful trails of YOUR national park and look for signs of spring and vibrant Monarch butterflies and 2) find a spot in your community- it can even be your backyard- to plant a pollinator garden that uses native plants. The planting of milkweed, and other butterfly-friendly plants, can provide a place for Monarchs to pollinate, feed, and lay eggs. In return, like a true symbiotic relationship, humans can enjoy the beautiful orange flutters of Spring!

Lauren Hardebeck

1st Year Environmental Educator Fellow