PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
MONARCHS RETURN … The Monarch Butterflies are in their caterpillar stage, which is a part of their five-stage life cycle.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
A potential butterfly habitat may soon take shape at BodyWorks, located at 11471 State Route 15 in Montpelier. What began as a small patch of milkweed at the shop’s entrance has grown into an unexpected haven for monarch butterflies over the past several years.
According to Ron Rummel, the transformation has been remarkable. He noted that when the milkweed plants first appeared, they attracted only a few caterpillars.
Now, five to six years later, the plants have become home to dozens of young larvae. “I counted over 50 young caterpillars on the plants just a few days ago,” Ron commented, describing the steady growth of the insect population.
The modest garden at the front of the property has developed into a thriving habitat, with monarch butterflies returning each season.
Penny Rummel hopes to expand on the success. She is considering relocating the milkweed plants to the back of the property and planting even more to create a safer and more sustainable environment for the butterflies.
Her long-term vision includes establishing a place for the monarch butterflies, whose population has faced a significant decline in recent years.
By encouraging a flourishing habitat in Montpelier, she hopes to play a part in sustaining the endangered species for future generations.