As countless monarch butterflies make their annual, flittering pilgrimage through the southern plains en route to Mexico, the colorful winged beauties have again caught the eye of Iolans young and old.
Especially Dixie Quincy.
While Quincy retired as a science teacher at Iola Middle School in 2000, she is always eager to impart her knowledge to youngsters. Ask most any of her former pupils, and they’ll most likely recall Quincy’s monarch projects each fall.
And, as the saying goes, you can take the teacher out of the classroom…
Quincy agreed to work this month with SAFE BASE students on the study of monarch butterflies.
The plan is for the students to plant milkweed in the Wayne Garrett Memorial Garden to feed to young caterpillars — and eventually, the monarchs.
Why milkweed?
The plant makes the butterflies, and their younger caterpillar selves indigestible to predators, such as birds, Quincy explained.
The students, under the guidance of garden director John Richards, positioned several milkweed plants Tuesday for Richards to plant. The garden, a Safe Base project, is at the corner of Sycamore and Lincoln streets.
The district has ordered several caterpillars for safekeeping until they reach the pupa, or chrysalis stage for about two weeks.
From there, the monarch emerges. The distinctive orange-and-black creatures will flitter and flex their wings long enough to get bodily fluids pumped through them before they’re ready to fly.
Funny thing about monarchs, Quincy noted. Generations upon generations will instinctively fly to Mexico, yet scientists remain unsure why.
“In fact, most of the butterflies you see here won’t make it to Mexico, but their descendants will,” Quincy said.
Scientists suspect the mild winter temperatures and availability of trees on which to roost make the regions near Angangueo, Michoacan, Mexico, a natural calling card.
The butterflies will eventually make their way north again starting next spring to repeat the cycle.
Local students learn about monarch butterflies
