It is quite exciting to see invested efforts produce results. Pop Up Prairie's first public reference garden in Mc Donald park has been a serious bloomer all year long and we are very happy to now see Monarch Butterfly larvae happily munching away on the Butterfly Weeds in the installation. It is a perfect example of the supporting role native plants play in our ecosystem.
You may also notice an orange and black bug hiding out in the picture above. That is an adult Milkweed Bug and, as the name suggests, is uniquely designed to take advantage of the Milkweed family. It has a long proboscis that can pierce the milkweed pods and feed on the tasty innards. Like the Monarch, they also derive a toxic compound from the sap that keeps predators from dining on them.
A few native plants and a little effort can have a real positive effective on the local bio-diversity right outside your door or around the corner at the park. Take action and enjoy the rewards.