INDEXSpring—a time of growth 1

Food for thought, page 1

IBBA Convention,New Orleans, USA

and Sydney, Australia,Page 2

The Dangerous World of Butterfl ies, page 2

West Lynn Garden Butterfl y House, page 3

Chalcid Wasp Infection in Monarchs, page 3

Not on the Internet? page 3

Be Nice to Nettles Week, page 3

Items for Sale on TradeMe, page 3

Tagging in Taiwan,page 4

Nelson Ecofest,page 5

Do you have good writing skills, page 5

Email Updates, page 5

Application for Butterfl y Habitat/Garden Certifi cation,

page 6

Butterfl y Awareness Days:

Mitre 10, ChristchurchDargaville

Palmers Garden Centre, BethlehemWest Lynn Garden,

New Lynnpage 7

Nelson Growables Garden Fair, page 7

Rotorua Home and Garden Show, page 7

Butterfl y Awareness Day Poster, page 8

C/- NZ Post, Russell, 0242 Telephone 09 403 8543 www.monarch.org.nzBanner photographs courtesy of Ken Wright

COPYRIGHT © 2008 MONARCH BUTTERFLY NZ TRUST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Spring 2009

Spring—a time of growthThe weather this spring seems to me to have been much more changeable—but perhaps that’s just my mood. I have had surgery on my shoulder (hence the lateness of this newsletter, my apologies.)All of the trustees have been very busy promoting butterfly welfare in various ways. Charlotte has been speaking to children in libraries and schools, holding a monthly Information Day at the Oratia Organic Market as well as managing the TradeMe auctions. To the right is a photograph of a girl at one of the schools she visited—note the proboscis!Mary, from Te Puna Quarry Park Butterfly Garden has contributed some great ideas for making gardens more attractive to butterflies year-round. I’m including a photograph of Mary in front of the information sign at Te Puna—it’s attracting more and more visitors.So I’m going to hand over to her to give you an update on what she’s doing in her garden. Do have a wonderful spring, and don’t hesitate to post your problems or queries in the forum on the website, www.monarch.org.nz.

Jacqui, on behalf of the TrusteesFood for thoughtOne thinks that butterfly-gardening would be a downtime in August, but do not be tricked, there is no stopping. Seeds to plant, slugs and snails to get rid of and thoughts of nectar for the butterflies.If you can include trees and shrubs in your butterfly garden it saves a lot of trouble. If you prune and deadhead frequently many shrubs and flowers will flower for longer periods.And then think about perennial plants: they also will do their own thing and always be there. That leaves the annuals that help to fill the garden.GO WILD! You can buy a Butterfly Wildflower Mix from the Trust which is very good ($5/packet). They will self-seed for at least two years. It also includes some perennials, Sweet

William being one.Te Puna Quarry Park has had a most successful year but we did run out of food for Monarch caterpillars so had to import some. It was a lot of work: it is hard to get the balance right and of course the more food, the more caterpillars, the more butterflies

2 - Spring 2009

We had an early start to the caterpillar season and then covered swan plants in rotation which worked well. Do not let them be eaten down too far and they will recover more quickly. Take out the centre of your plant at about 60 cms and the plant will bush out. If you have plenty of space keep planting seeds. You can keep the plants like a hedge and the flowers are excellent nectar providers. If you do not want them seeding everywhere, cut off the seed pods or save the seed for the Trust.Tropical milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, is also very rewarding. Leaves for caterpillars and plenty of orange and yellow flowers for nectar. If you can get some A. incarnata seed or plants try them, they die down in the winter and reappear fresh in the spring. Try the Trust for seedOur wildflower garden is a great success. Now Dianthus, Coreopsis, wallflowers, sunflowers and Cosmos plus many more. These went through the summer with Zinnias, Sweet William, Marigolds, Tagetes (annual and perennial). Let them seed down and nature will provide a mass of colour—plus the Monarchs will stay in your garden to feed.The Monarchs stayed in the Quarry this winter and on a warm sunny day they came out to feed, the main flowers being Manuka, wild Heather, Hebes, a perennial wallflower and Tagetes. Plant several of each plant and cut back at different times. Keep putting in cuttings and you will have flowers for months. Echiums are just starting to flower and will attract the Admirals and Monarchs. Buddleia, at different times of the year, is also a valuable shrub with flowers providing nectar. I think the Zinnias were the best summer flower: they went on and on. The best nectar flower has been a single orange Dahlia. It may have been because of a mass planting of the one colour that was the attraction, but there were always butterflies feeding on them. Calendula was also an attraction over winter.It is a continuous learning curve. You have to have a menu for the whole year, nature permitting. Good luck! It is fun and rewarding.

IBBA Convention New Orleans, USA and Sydney, AustraliaAre you interested in learning more about raising butterflies, photography, disease prevention in Monarchs? If so—and New Orleans is out of your budget—you might be interested in attending a two-day conference in Sydney on 20 and 21 November. While the International Butterfly Breeders Association meets in New Orleans, butterfly enthusiasts plan to meet in Sydney and share at least one session with their counterparts in the USA. For more information email jacqui@monarch.org.nz.STOP PRESS: The Guest Speaker is going to be Chip Taylor, Mr Monarch Himself, the founder of ‘Monarch Watch’ based at Kansas University.

The Dangerous World of ButterfliesThe Startling Subculture of Criminals, Collectors, and Conservationists, by Peter Laufer, Ph.D.Follow the money. That’s what this book boils down to. Who knew there was such espionage in the beautiful world of butterflies?Peter Laufer studies their allure and looks at the role butterflies have played in civilisations throughout history.It started with a challenge. He had returned from an investigation into the imprisonment of people in war-torn countries, and was asked what his next book would be about. He quipped ‘about flowers and butterflies’ or something more

peaceful.Asked if he was serious, he took up an invitation to visit a bu t te r f ly farm in C e n t r a l

America—and that began his adventure.He visited a butterfly farm in Florida and a man who is totally against butterfly-farming. He then investigated the collection of butterflies and exposes an amazing world of collectors and those individuals who supply them—both with legal and illegal specimens.His research takes many unexpected turns into an environment of money, organised crime, ecological devastation, species depletion, integrity of museums and collectors, and ultimately, the chaos theory. He follows one special agent at length as he tracks a known illegal importer of butterflies and compiles evidence for his court case.Our beautiful flying flowers have apparently become an unwitting symbol for greed and vanity. After reading this book, you will have a new appreciation for fellow breeders and real butterfly enthusiasts.This book is a great read; I highly recommend it to everyone. If you would like to borrow my copy, please write me at jacqui@monarch.org.nz.

3 - Spring 2009

White AdmiralsVicky Steele visited Landcare Research to view the White Admirals being trialled as a possible biological control of Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). In Japan this plant does not dominate to the extent that it can in NZ, particularly in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Marlborough. The plant is considered invasive and the sale, distribution and transport of it is now illegal in this country. Specimens already growing in private gardens are not required to be removed. Several NZ local authorities are funding the research.Limenitis camilla, and the closely related L. glorifica, are from the Nymphalidae family. White Admirals can be found in Europe, UK and Asia and are striking black butterflies, with white markings, which feed on bramble blossom and honeydew. Females lay their eggs singly on wisps of honeysuckle.Unfortunately, attempts to get the butterflies to breed have so far been unsuccessful but more larvae will be imported from Japan next year and the project will continue to see if they have a high enough level of specificity. A new, improved containment facility is being constructed to allow natural light into the area.If the project is successful, the butterflies will be bred and released throughout NZ. For more information please email vicky@monarch.org.nz.

Chalcid Wasp Infections in MonarchsHere is a video showing another of the problems that our Monarchs face. A Monarch pupa which has been parasitised by a Chalcid wasp, showing hundreds of wasps emerging from the pupa. Very educational!http://tinyurl.com/y9r97ml

West Lynn Garden Butterfly HouseWest Lynn Garden would like people to help grow healthy milkweed all season.From February until Easter school groups and kindergartens book to visit the Butterfly House. Bookings are usually for 10am, 11am, or 12 noon sessions. Volunteers are needed to be present in the Butterfly House to keep control and answer questions. Some days there may be three bookings and the next day none, but the volunteers change swan plants over, weed and water and keep the Butterfly House tidy.Fresh blood, two hours a day, one day a week would be wonderful! Offers of assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please contact charlotte@monarch.org.nz.

Items for Sale on TradeMeThe Trust has many items, including swan plants, that can be purchased on TradeMe.If you have too many swan plants, would you be interested in having people call on you to collect some, and donating the proceeds to the MBNZT? Contact Jacqui if you are interested. To see items we have on sale, go to www.trademe.co.nz, our ID is butterfly-trust.

Not on the internet?Some members say that because they are not on the internet so are not able to participate in some of our activities. We suggest that you take the newsletter along to friend or family, and ask them to show you many of the resources on our website, www.monarch.org.nz as well as other links.

L. camilla, showing topside (above) and underside (below). Photos courtesy Nigel Venters

Be Nice to Nettles WeekA great idea from Angela McGregor! Angie writes:“I have been wanting to get something like this started in New Zealand to bring awareness of our Native nettles and the Admiral butterflies they support (see example http://www.nettles.org.uk).The idea would have to be altered for NZ but I think it could be interesting.Things to think about:

● Good idea/bad idea ● Best time of year ● What type of promotion ● How to work through native vs introduced nettle ● Other things to considerIf you would be interested to get involved, have ideas, comments about something like this for NZ please contact me, ange_nz@yahoo.com.”

4 - Spring 2009

Tagging in TaiwanTaiwan, about one-third the size of the North Island, is south of Japan and disputably part of China. Amazingly, it is home to more than 400 butterfly species, 56 of which are endemic. Near the rural township of Maolin in the south of Taiwan, and nestled at the foot of the sparsely populated Central Mountain Range, is the famous Purple Butterfly Valley, respite for hundreds of thousands of Dwarf Crow, Striped Blue Crows, Double-Branded Black Crows, Chocolate Tigers and at least six other species of butterflies. When Spring comes, the butterflies awaken, start courting and mating before flying north to different locations.Locals describe the exodus as being like ‘a purple river’. There are so many butterflies leaving the valley that the outer lane of the national freeway is closed to allow butterflies safe passage.Meanwhile, children and teachers are busy catching some of the butterflies, marking them with permanent markers and setting them free as part of an ecological study. These are the purple Crow butterflies (Euploea tulliolus), whose route takes them over 600 metres of open roadways, including the freeway near Linnei, as they fly to their breeding grounds in northern Taiwan.Crow butterflies are in the same family as Monarchs (milkweed butterflies), but different in that the four species congregate en masse at their overwintering area.Research, which began in 2000, showed the Crow butterflies make two large-scale migrations annually. The first is the spring migration in March and April from Maolin to their breeding grounds in the north, the second is south-bound back to Maolin in mid-October. Chan Chia-lung, a researcher from the Taiwan Ecological Engineering Development Foundation, discovered that the Crow butterflies passed over National Freeway No 3, built in

2004. At times more than 10,000 butterflies passed over the freeway per minute! Sadly, thousands were being killed by fast-moving vehicles.The following year Chan appealed to the National Freeway Bureau to help protect the insects. Students at an engineering school were put to work to devise a solution that would strike a balance between

engineering and environmental protection.For two years a team worked on a solution and then proposed to the freeway bureau to set up a ‘biological corridor’ for the butterflies below the freeway. Ultraviolet lights were installed under a bridge to entice the light-sensitive butterflies to fly underneath, while protective nets were added along the freeway’s embankment to force them to fly higher, well above the traffic. And now they even close the outer lane of

the freeway when the butterflies are so thick (more than 2,000 a minute) that it looks like a mass of autumn leaves on a very windy day.The response from the authorities was encouraging, something that can motivate more engineers to contemplate balancing human needs with the needs of other creatures.That’s great to hear!

From the top:Purple Crow,

Taiwan,Extension to wall

of freeway

Maolin

Jhunan

Linnei

Taipei

5 - Spring 2009

Email UpdatesIf you are on email, and we have your email address, look out for our monthly email updates. The first one was sent on 1 September. We intend to send these emails out about monthly, on an ‘as needs’ basis. They will contain information about upcoming events and projects, plus any important news that can’t wait for the next newsletter.If you have anything that might be suitable for inclusion, please email news@monarch.org.nz. Trustee Vicky Steele is producing the email, so if you have specific questions, please email her directly vicky@monarch.org.nz.

Nelson EcofestThis year’s Ecofest ran from 15 to 16 August and was held in the refurbished Trafalgar Centre. About 6000 people attended, and it felt as if they all visited our stand!Tony and I and Rae covered the stand over the weekend, Mary helped for a few hours on both days, and Jean came in on Sunday. None of these ladies are youngsters, so their help was especially appreciated.Rae went to great trouble to provide nectar plants for sale, each with a detailed description stuck to the pot. She said to me, ‘I have to stop myself from writing a book!’ There were about 60 plants all told, which took a long time to carry into the venue. Fortunately, over half of them sold, so the carrying-out was easier.Roger Frost from Murchison provided some nettle plants complete with yellow admiral caterpillars. They were a source of great interest, particularly with children, who enjoyed looking at the caterpillars through a magnifying glass. The biggest caterpillar was, I suspect, ready to pupate–in any case, it kept trying to wander away and had to be constantly herded back with the aid of a soft paintbrush. I have a new title–caterpillar wrangler! Mary took the caterpillars home at the end of Sunday, as she has a good patch of nettles.Interestingly, there was a lot of interest in nettles. We only had one plant for sale, but could have sold plenty. There seems to be increased awareness that they are not ‘bad’ plants, as long as they are kept in the right place, and a lot of people asked us about them.As last year, all the free stuff went. That is, 210 brochures and 58 newsletters. Plus, we had free stuff for kids–108 stick-on tattoos and 150 butterfly stickers–and they all went too. Tony thought of a good strategy: he handed out

stickers to the kids, their mothers would say ‘thank you’ and then feel obliged to look at the stand.We had no swan plants available, but this led to an interesting result. First, we sold all our locally harvested packets of seeds, and then the Trusts’ packets of more exotic varieties started to go. So there might be more interesting milkweeds around the region this summer!

Beforehand I had gathered together all the tagging results received from

two of the Nelson taggers and displayed these on a map on the

stand. This created a lot of interest.

Of course the primary purpose of the stand is educational, and we

answered all the usual questions about control of wasps and running out of

caterpillar plant food. We were also pleased to be able to explain the difference

between native and African praying mantises. It is a sad fact that the African species

h a v e become well established in the Nelson/Tasman region, and it is now rare to find a New Zealand praying mantis. The more people who know which egg cases to ‘squish’, the better, as far as I’m concerned. Thank you, Rae, for providing examples of the ‘nasty’ egg cases.I think the Monarch Butterfly Trust serves a very useful role in events like this. Everybody in NZ knows Monarchs, and they are such wonderful examples of butterfly life. The Monarch Butterfly Trust is not seen as having any axe to grind, so people feel free to ask us very general questions about biodiversity, and we can (I hope) give helpful advice.Many thanks to the Trust for giving us support for the Nelson Ecofest.

Chrissie

Do you have good writing skills?The MBNZT Trustees are looking for a member with good writing skills who would like to submit regular reports to ECO (Environmental and Conservation Organisations) and other organisations, to keep them updated with our achievements.Writing style should be interesting, lively and entertaining, and will hopefully create a greater awareness of the MBNZT and what it does and hopes to achieve among environmental and conservation groups and their members. This is a voluntary task.Contact jacqui@monarch.org.nz if you are interested.

6 - Spring 2009

Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust Application for Butterfly Habitat/Garden Certification Use this form to certify a butterfly-friendly space in your garden, school or anywhere in your community. Do your best to answer the questions and we’ll make suggestions if something is missing or needs improvement. If your habitat meets the requirements you’ll receive a personalized certificate suitable for display indoors or outdoors and receive a year’s free membership plus publicity for your space. For questions email trust@monarch.org.nz ORGANISATION

GIVEN NAME

LAST NAME

MAIL ADDRESS

Postcode:

Hm Ph:

( ) Bus Ph:

( )

Fax: ( ) Email:

When was your garden/habitat established? In what type of area is your habitat/garden ( ) urban ( ) suburban ( ) rural What is the size of the habitat/garden ( ) < 0.25 ha ( ) 0.25 - 0.5 ha ( ) 0.5 ha – 1 ha ( ) 1 ha + Best description ( ) home ( ) workplace ( ) park/community garden ( ) farm ( ) school/educational setting Sustainable garden practice - Landscape management can have an effect on the health of the soil, air, water and habitat for wildlife, as well as humans. What sustainable gardening techniques do you employ to help conserve resources? ( ) riparian buffer ( ) recycle rain water from roof ( ) xeriscape/waterwise landscaping ( ) drip/soaker hose(s) ( ) erosion prevention ( ) use of mulch ( ) integrated pest management ( ) removal of non-native plants/animals ( ) use of native species ( ) reduction of lawn and/or concreted areas ( ) use of compost ( ) no chemical pesticides ( ) no chemical fertilisers ( ) other: Species – name at least three species of Lepidoptera which your habitat/garden encourages: 1.

2.

3.

Supporting information – Please attach layout plans, maps, photographs. On a separate piece(s) of paper please detail: (a) What larval food sources are planted for each species

(b) What nectar species are planted for each season of the year

(c) What trees/shelter are provided to offer protection from extreme weather/predators or as an overwintering site

(d) How do you provide water for your Lepidoptera species

Signed:

Dated:

/ /20

Applications closing soon! Please phone 09 403 8543 or email trust@monarch.org.nz immediately if interested.

7 - Spring 2009

West Lynn Garden, New LynnTrustee Charlotte Beesley needs volunteers for her day promotion at West Lynn Garden, New Lynn. Char is having a stall, with plenty of information to share, plus activities for the children who are encouraged to come dressed as butterflies.It’s a great way of meeting people with like interests, and sharing wisdom with others on ways of encouraging butterflies.If you’d like to spend some time chatting with people about butterflies and meeting new friends, please email charlotte@monarch.org.nz as soon as possible. She would love your help. If you’re not able to volunteer, then why not still come along and join in the fun.

BAD Day in DargavilleIt’s not going to be BAD, it’s going to be great!Children have been invited to the Dargaville Town Hall from 10am-2pm to promote butterfly awareness. Sponsored by Duck Creek Garden Centre and a joint initiative between SKIP (Strategies for Kids, Information for Parents), there are some wonderful prizes and take home goodies.Local members are welcome–learn more about butterfliesin the area, share your tips. For more information email jacqui@monarch.org.nz or phone 09 403 8543.

Palmers Garden Centre, BethlehemThere will be Monarchs, Admirals and plants for butterfly gardening, children’s colouring in, and (hopefully) livestock on display. Bring along your own butterfly painting or colour-in and be in for some prizes.Everyone welcome, please tell your friends and family!Further information contact mary@monarch.org.nz

Rotorua Home and Garden Show, 29-31 Oct, 1 Nov, Energy Events Centre, RotoruaMary Parkinson, Stu McPherson and Shona Purvis will represent the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust at the Rotorua Home and Garden Show for the first time this year.Mary sees this as a wonderful opportunity to promote species awareness and at the same time support a local event. Focus will be on planting suitable nectar plants and host plants and answering any questions visitors to the show may have.Mary, Stu and Shona would like volunteers who could help for some of the time during the three days. Do not think that you ‘may not know enough’—it is more important to have enthusiasm, and what you may not know you will pick up from working with the others in the team. Please email Mary@monarch.org.nz, or phone 07 576 4752 as soon as possible.But if you don’t have the time to help out, Mary, Stu and Shona would still love to see you. Come along and make yourself known!

Nelson Growables Garden Fair, Sun 15 NovThis is about ‘all things gardening’ at Founders Park, a new major event for the region with an emphasis on inspiring and informing, to make the garden enjoyable and productive.Event manager, Glenda Buschl, approached us at Ecofest. Nelson Growables will be a fun family day out with opportunities to get the plants and knowledge to lift off your gardening! Enviroschools and other local groups are also invited to be involved. They describe it as ‘everything a gardener needs to get gardening, a true garden fest for the community.’Chrissie Ward is over-committed and would like someone to organise and run our stand at the event. The event is for one day only, 10am-5pm. If interested, please liaise between the Trust (09 403 8543 or trust@monarch.org.nz) or the Nelson Growables manager, Glenda. Her contacts are info@nelsongrowables.co.nz, phone 03 9700 079 or 021 544 738.For more details go to www.nelsongrowables.co.nz

Mitre 10 Butterfl y Day, ChristchurchIf you’re looking for some organically-grown swan plants, nectar plants for your butterfly garden or would like to talk with other butterfly enthusiasts, come along to Mitre 10, Christchurch on 10 October.There will be a sausage sizzle in some stores, and colouring-in competitions for the children with prizes supplied by Mitre 10. Volunteers will be in-store at Bishopdale, Beckenham, Edgeware, Hornby and Upper Riccarton from approximately 11am on. There will be information for you to take home, and questions answered.For more details on what’s happening at a store near you, look out for advertisements in the Gardening Section of The Star.

Do come along—it promises to be a fun day! Thanks to Mitre 10 for their support. A volunteer for stores at either

Edgeware or Bishopdale would be appreciated. Please contact vicky@monarch.org.nz.

Butterfl y Awareness Day Butterfl y Awareness Day Butterfl y Awareness Day

COMING EVENTS

Butterfl y Awareness Day Butterfl y Awareness Day Butterfl y Awareness Day

8 - Spring 2009

ButterflyAwareness

Make Butterfl y Awareness Day a really great day for butterfl ies!Monarch Bu� erfl y New Zealand TrustC/- NZ Post, Russell, 0242 www.monarch.org.nz trust@monarch.org.nz

Butterflies are beautiful, charismatic, uplifting. They are a sign of spring, of hope and new beginnings. Butterflies are pollinators and without

pollination we would lose many of our fruit and vegetables. About ¾ of the world’s flowering plants

and more than 90 of our food crops depend on pollination. Butterflies are insects, one of the most common living organisms, which are becoming extinct and endangered even before they can be identified. What does that say about conservation? What is going on with mammals and the larger animals that rely on that same habitat? They’re in more trouble - and that means trouble for humankind.

Butterflies are not so common in New Zealand; some are endangered.

Depicted (from the top) are the Forest Ringlet, Copper, Yellow Admiral, Red Admiral and the Monarch. We need to be more thoughtful about our use of the environment, pesticides and clearance of wild spaces.

Please help us make Butterfly Awareness Day a really GREAT day for butterflies.

Where:

When:

Who:MBNZT volunteers

What:Educational exhibits and

fun for children of all ages

In your community(see reverse)

Saturday 10 October