Did you know that the monarch caterpillar can feed on up to 100 different species of milkweed throughout North America? The majority of the milkweed in my garden are scarlet milkweed. We have two two giant milkweed with a few cuttings scattered throughout the garden.

According to author Thomas C. Emmel of “Florida Fabulous Butterflies,” the monarch in southern Florida can go through as many as six broods. These monarchs may remain residents in southern Florida, while the monarch population in the rest of the state and continent migrate to warmer temperatures.

Emmel stated that milkweed butterflies are referred to as “royalty butterflies,” due to it being part of the Danaidae family, which was named after the daughter of Danaus, the ruler of Argos.

The males have scent scales on their wings, as well as on their “hair pencils,” which is located on their abdomen. During courtship the male monarch uses its scent scales and can remain attached to the female for up to an hour long, and as little as 30 minutes, according to Emmel.