Monarch butterflies feed exclusively on milkweed, making the relationship between monarchs and these plants very special. As a host plant, milkweed is critical to the monarch’s survival. In the spring months, monarchs migrate from their Northern overwintering sites to the US and Southern Canada in search of milkweed to lay their eggs and feed their larvae. Without milkweed, the butterflies cannot complete their life cycle, causing a decline in their numbers. An excellent way to support monarch butterfly populations is to restore their breeding grounds by planting local, native species of milkweed.