Central Park Stopover
Friday, September 4, 2009
By: Scott Johnson

Butterflies stop at Park on migration route

In these final days of summer and coming weeks of fall, some of Central Park’s most colorful visitors are making their annual stop to feed on the sweet nectar plants of its gardens and landscapes.
 
Each fall, millions of Monarch butterflies make their way to the remote mountain valleys of south central Mexico. The 4-inch, dark orange beauties are one of the few insects that migrate to warmer climates.
 
The Monarchs can be spotted fluttering through the Park along their journey beginning in late summer, particularly in Shakespeare Garden, Conservatory Garden and even Strawberry Fields.
 
“We’ve been seeing some butterflies for a couple of weeks now, but they’ve been a bit lighter this year than in years past,” says Diane Schaub, Curator of Conservatory Garden.
 
That lighter showing may be a result of this year’s long, cool spring and early summer, said Regina Alvarez, Director of Horticulture and Woodland Management for the Conservancy. “We’re hoping they may come in more numbers soon,” she said.  
 
Among the Monarchs’ favorite plants in Central Park? Brazilian verbena (Verbena  bonariensis), Catmint (Nepeta), Mexican sunflower (Tithonia), and Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica) — a sweet-smelling nectar and host plant for the butterflies.
 
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberose) and Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) are also big draws. Not only do they provide the nectar the Monarchs need, they’re also the only plants the butterflies will lay their eggs on and the only food the Monarch caterpillars eat.
 
“We’re definitely  hoping to see more in the next few weeks,” said Schaub.
                       
 Be sure to get a peek at the Park's fleeting guests in the next few weeks.
And don't forget your camera!