The flight of the Monarchs

Danette Goulet

CORONA DEL MAR -- They may be beautiful, but butterflies aren’t

necessarily loyal.

Suzan Thatcher’s special day class at Corona del Mar High School

learned that lesson the hard way Monday morning.

When students released two Monarch butterflies into the butterfly

garden they had created, the ungrateful beauties fluttered up and over a

brick wall after just minutes.

But Thatcher is optimistic that the creatures will return to the

sanctuary.

“I think there is a fair to moderate chance because we’ve supplied

their host plant and four to five nectar plants, which they enjoy,” she

said. “They may return; they know there’s food here.”

Whether or not the Monarchs return, the class deems its first

butterfly project a success.

Two years ago, Thatcher and her special day class for students in

ninth through 12th grades began a vegetable garden outside their

classroom. They grew tomatoes, potatoes, carrots and more.

At the end of last year, they began to prepare it to support different

species of butterflies. They have studied various species, planted the

proper plants, set up a butterfly feeder and -- most importantly -- never

used pesticides in their garden.

Thatcher is doing everything by the book because the class is

attempting to develop a backyard habitat certified by the National

Wildlife Foundation.

Two weeks ago, the class received their first caterpillars, which they

watched grow, spin their cocoon and emerge as butterflies late Friday

night and early Monday morning.

“They were little caterpillars and we raised them ever since,” said

Dana Semar, 13, who will be in the ninth grade this fall. “When we

released them, I was so happy.”

Dana and her classmate, Michelle Moon, 17, who each released one of

the butterflies into the bright morning sun, marveled as they watched the

creatures flutter to freedom.

Although the butterflies spread their wings and left the sanctuary

created especially for them, students said they had gained invaluable

hands-on experience. And there’s more to come.

Thatcher’s class will be receiving 33 Painted Lady larvae this fall,

which they will once again watch transform into butterflies to be

released into their garden.

“This is just my passion,” Thatcher said. “Putting nature and kids

together is such a perfect match.”