It was only recently when I learned that migrating butterflies need to increase their fat content in order to have enough fuel to journey south to their wintering sites in Mexico. As delicate as they appear, I hadn’t thought about them having fat at all.
Monarch butterfly larvae will only eat Milkweed leaves, but the adults feed on nectar from a variety of plants. Side note: A good survival strategy is to have adults and offspring feed on different things so that they don’t compete.
November in Central Texas is a time when we see a lot of butterfly activity, and this is often because of migrating species that are starting out or passing through on their way south. So it’s important to have fall nectar sources available.
My pollinator garden is only small, but I’m glad to see it being used. On this day (November 15th) I saw a Monarch butterfly in the early morning, and then a Painted Lady at midday. Both are migrating species and both were nectaring from the Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii).
Rewilding My Lot 
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