Monarch butteries topic of library talk

This summer the Marcus P. Beebe Library has partnered with the Ipswich Tiger Post and the Historical Society to revitalize the Memorial Garden on Main Street in Ipswich.

Tiger Post students and staff have planted native South Dakota plants in the gardens and they are learning to garden and raise and release butterfly's later in the season.

Verna Kay Boyd will present "Monarch Butterflies in South Dakota" at the Marcus P. Beebe Library on Thursday July 12 at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend her presentation to learn how you can plant milkweed and help the Monarch butterflies survive and thrive in our area.

Verna became interested in Monarch butterflies when she was a girl growing up in Iowa. In 2015, Verna worked as a state park naturalist and due to her interest in Monarch butterflies, she was encouraged to expand her message and educate the public about the life cycle and continuing decline of the Monarchs.

Monarchs are one of the most recognized and well-known butterflies in North America. They were at one time so numerous they darkened the sky on their flyway during their migration. Their numbers have now plummeted to a dangerous low due to the ubiquitous and extensive use of insecticides and herbicides. Unfortunately, the general public is mostly unaware that commercial use of these products both in agriculture and the home are driving Monarch butterflies to the brink of extinction.

Monarch larvae feed exclusively on milkweed leaves. Milkweed, once a common native flowering plant, has nearly disappeared also due to poisoning. As the presence of milkweed decreases so do the caterpillars that feed on it. Milkweed plants are flowering perennials.

Monarch butterflies are pollinators. The pollinators and milkweed in our farm fields and gardens are necessary if we hope to have these beautiful creatures survive.

Verna's presentation is sponsored by the Marcus P. Beebe Library and the S.D. Humanities Council. For more information regarding the SD Humanities Council visit their website at http://sdhumanities.org .