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Monarch butterflies are in decline, but a mother-daughter team is on a quest to help them thrive.
Maria Romero, a Christchurch mother of three, has her children to thank for their obsession with butterflies, their first published book, and their business.
Daughter Lola, now 10, spent hours outdoors when she was little, and Romero wanted to foster this passion.
“I didn’t realize how much time I was spending in the garden, absorbed in nature, I was so happy,” said Romero.
STACY SQUIRES / Stuff
Lola Romero grows swan seedlings for monarch butterflies.
“We start growing swan plants every summer and we look at the life cycle.”
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Romero became as passionate as Lola and became a butterfly educator to help other children experience the same joy.
Maria Romero / Supplied
María Romero and her three children are passionate about protecting monarch butterflies and raising awareness about their habitat loss and the need for help.
It was a job she could work on while taking care of Lola and her children Lucas, 11, and Felix, 5. She also wrote her first book, An Educational Guide to Monarch Butterflies.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d write a book, it wasn’t even on my radar, and it all happened so fast.”
While working on the book, Romero also designed his Butterfly Musketeers website and began receiving requests from friends to speak at schools.
At first I was not fully prepared.
STACY SQUIRES / Stuff
María Romero loves inspiring children to learn about the natural environment.
“I just did it winged, so to speak, maybe because I didn’t think it was happening,” he said.
“But once I start talking about swan plants and monarchs, I find it difficult to keep quiet, nobody stops me.”
Romero became more passionate about inspiring more children after each talk.
“It is very good for their well-being, it teaches them to be kind, to show empathy, it helps them understand the environment around them and it gives them an introduction to biodiversity and other species.”
CREATIVE KONRAD
María Romero in her monarch butterfly dress, made by Joanne Kidd.
Romero is now so busy that she turns down reservations and travels around New Zealand with Lola to give talks and raise awareness about monarchs.
In addition to talking to school groups, the couple attend birthday parties for young butterfly fans, who dress up as monarchs, paint their faces, and enjoy butterfly-themed games and crafts.
“The monarch butterflies need our help,” said Romero.
“They are in decline with loss of habitat, spraying and harmful pesticides and predators.”
Caring for monarch butterflies
Before you start raising monarchs, make sure you have enough swan plants ready – a caterpillar can devour a plant on its own.
Remove the extra eggs on your plant to prevent your caterpillar from starving.
Try not to resort to feeding pumpkin caterpillars, it is not good for them.
Swan plants are toxic, making the caterpillar / butterfly less palatable to birds.
