Monarch Butterflies
Citizen scientists enlisted to help monarch butterflies
Victoria University entomologist Phil Lester is investigating the prevalence of a disease affecting monarch butterflies - and he's enlisting the help of citizen scientists.The disease, caused by a… Audio, Gallery
Christine Fernyhough: Mid-century living in the Butterfly House
For over 30 years, philanthropist and author Christine Fernyhough has built an extraordinary collection of over 4000 everyday objects of mid-century New Zealand craft, design and folk art. Audio, Gallery
Mutating monarchs, app eye scans and tsunami fungi
Science commentator Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn to talk about the three mutations it can take for Monarch butterflies to feed on poisonous milkweed and use the poison on its predators. She'll also… Audio
Where are all the monarch butterflies?
The number of monarch butterflies seems to be eroding year after year. Jacqui Knight from the Monarch Butterfly New Zealand Trust joins us with her theory as to why, and tips on how you can help them… Audio
Keeping butterfly-friendly plants free from pesticides
Swan plants are perfect for attracting monarch butterflies, but what if the one you buy has been sprayed with pesticides? That's a real concern, so a "approved by butterflies" tick for garden centres… Audio
The hungry monarch caterpillars
Monarch butterfly caterpillars are struggling to find a feed. Around the country gardening centres and plant shops have sold out of swan plants as people rush to replace the plants which are being… Audio, Gallery
Monarchs could starve in Auckland this summer
The Trust that works to protect monarch butterflies is warning that the colourful insects are facing a famine in Auckland this summer. Audio
Self-medicating Monarchs
Jaap de Roode from Emory University in the United States is a biologist studying how a whole host of animals from chimps to insects (including Monarch butterflies) use plants to self-medicate. Audio
Disappearing Monarch Butterflies
An increase in wasp numbers is making life difficult for Monarch butterflies but a tiny mite could help cull wasps. Audio
Butterfly tagging
You don't have to be a master entomologist to take part in an important study about monarch butterflies. Citizen scientists are needed to help tag monarch butterflies in New Zealand. Audio
Monitoring monarch butterflies
Jacqui Knight is the secretary of the Monarch Butterfly New Zealand trust. Audio