Back
View all Posts from Te Awanga - Haumoana
2171 days ago

Monarch butterflies

Tony from Akina

Hi. I'm wondering if other members have noticed a dramatic decline in the number of monarch butterflies?


A friend living in the Akina area has several swan plants which this time last year were being ravenously devoured by caterpillars. This year, however, the meter-tall plants are virtually untouched. I have not noticed any monarchs in my own nearby garden. This afternoon I spoke to an assistant at a local garden centre who mentioned a similar absence of monarchs in her garden in Havelock North.


If other people have observed a similar decline I would be interested in any theories as to a possible cause. I see very few wasps - certainly no more than last year. The surrounding vegetation does not appear to have changed. Certainly we have had an unusual spell of wet weather, but I am still not seeing the butterflies on our relatively few sunny days. As far as I know, I live several kilometers away from any commercial crop spraying (my understanding is that orchardists are using fewer toxic sprays each year, not more).


Any thoughts appreciated.

More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

Image
Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 85.5% Yes
    85.5% Complete
  • 13.4% No
    13.4% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2071 votes
B
16 hours ago

Cleaning a heat pump

Barbara from Raureka

Hi everyone. Can anyone recommend a reliable and reasonable company to clean our heat pump. We used it on cold for a couple of days and when turning it back to warm it has a smell. We get it serviced yearly but the firm we use is expensive.

4 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

Image