Spatial and temporal patterns in milkweed availability for monarchs in the southern Great Plains

Milkweed loss has been identified as a factor contributing to the decline of the monarch butterfly. The availability of milkweed in the southern Great Plains is important for conservation efforts because monarchs breed in this region during both the spring and fall. However, very little is known about the distribution and abundance of milkweed in this region. We conducted milkweed surveys throughout parts of Oklahoma and Texas. The abundance of milkweed varied both spatially and temporally. We describe the observed patterns, discuss the implications for monarch butterflies, and suggest additional research needs.