The Rural Voice, 1994-02, Page 31could turn out to be a cyclical
phenomenon, other scientists concur
with Peers. Writes Ro Vacarro, of
Friends of the Monarchs, "The
encroachment of progress, with a
dirty capital 'P' seems to be ringing
the death knell for butterflies, even
here (in Pacific Grove, California,
another winter home of Monarchs)."
To understand the connection
between our environment and our
butterflies, we need to know their life
cycles. Monarchs provide an
example.
T[\he female Monarch lays her
eggs only on milkweed
plants. Each egg matures
into a caterpillar or larva
which eats milkweed leaves,
the only food it likes. After several
moults, necessary because of its
voracious eating habits, the
caterpillar forms a pupa or chrysalis.
Eventually, through the magic of
metamorphosis, a butterfly emerges
and, after drying its wings, flutters off
to perpetuate the species.
Thus, while adult monarchs need
nectar from flowers (mainly wild
ones like aster and goldenrod), their
offspring, the caterpillars, must have
a milkweed diet for their survival.
However, Ontario's Weed Control
Act of 1988 identifies milkweed as a
noxious weed, a weed to be
eliminated.
Understandably, agricultural
practices have targeted the milkweed
for eradication because it can reduce
harvests, particularly in row crops.
Consequently, considerable effort and
cost have been required to eliminate
the milkweed in or near cultivated
land. To do this, herbicides have
been used extensively in the war
against this and other weeds.
Wild flowers, a major source of
nectar for all butterflies, have also
fallen prey to these herbicides which
are used not only by farmers, but by
home gardeners and roadside
maintenance workers.
Some Ontario jurisdictions have
discontinued spraying along
roadsides, in part because of the cost
involved. Already, according to
Peers, wild flowers and other plants
have returned, assuring a nectar
source for butterflies and a food
source for their offspring.
Any reduction in the food supply
for both adults and caterpillars means
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Special A.I. Breeding Programs Available for those wanting to save their own gilts.
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AR1114
• 0Qhi
-Lu'
1994
IMMO
,
We'd Like To
Thank
Our
Sponsors!
The Farm Progress
Show Committee
expresses
appreciation to the
following sponsors
for their support and
guest participation.
•Perth County Soil &
Crop Improvement
Association
• Federation of
Agriculture
• OMAF
• Stratford Chamber
of Commerce
• Farm Equipment
Exhibitors
• Stratford
Agricultural Society
Fairgrounds Office
271-5130
m
•
.100
11,
FEBRUARY 16 & 17, 1994
10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Daily
STRATFORD FAIRGROUNDS
Wednesday, February 16, 1994
Guest Speaker - 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
DR. VINCENT AMANOR - BOADU
Presentation of FREE TRADE AND
GATT OPPORTUNITIES IN
AGRICULTURE
Upper Kinsmen Hall
Thursday, February 17, 1994
CROP DAY - 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Program in Upper Kinsmen Hall
ADMISSION: ADULTS $2.00
LOTS OF FREE PARKING
TUESDAY LUNCHEON TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:
OMAF Office Stratford Co-op Stratford
271-0280 271-7660
NEW
2 -DAY
FORMAT
Visit the
Exhibit
Arenas!
Community Centre,
Livestock Building
• Machinery
• Equipment
• Feed & Seed
• Fertilizer
OPEN
ALL DAY!
Your Local
Dealer
Welcomes You!
Exhibit Arena
Open 10 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.
Lunch Served Daily!
Chamber of Commerce
273-5240
* INFORMATION -r SEMINARS it DOOR PRIZES it SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS
FEBRUARY 1994 27