Monarch butterflies given sanctuary
Butterflies will be putting on a display in a Palmerston North park if Forest and Bird’s Paul Vandenberg has his way.
A Palmerston North park is set to become a haven for butterflies.
Apollo Park will be planted up with species that attract a range of butterflies including monarchs and red and yellow admirals.
Monarch butterflies are overwintering at the park for the second year running. It’s not clear why they select this park but Paul Vandenberg of Forest and Bird thinks they may be seeking shelter from the frost and cold in the willow trees.
Mr Vandenberg came up with the idea of turning the park into a butterfly sanctuary.
“When I discovered that they had returned I thought, why don’t we plant out the park to keep them coming back?”
The monarchs arrive from other areas to overwinter in the trees but don’t stay for summer as there aren’t enough flowers to attract them.
[pullquote]When I discovered that they had returned I thought, why don’t we plant out the park to keep them coming back?”[/pullquote]
Overwintering is a period of dormancy almost like hibernation. Monarchs cluster together when they overwinter.
Mr Vandenberg has met with the Palmerston North City Council, which has approved his idea of creating a butterfly park.
There will be further meetings to discuss details such as funding.
As well as monarchs Mr Vandenberg would like to attract other butterflies including red and yellow admirals.
Plant species which attract butterflies will be put in at the park. Mr Vandenberg expects these species will include swan plants, native hebes which attract admirals and exotic buddlejas which attract a range of butterflies.
For further information check out the Facebook page – Monarchs in the park
