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| Monarch butterflies are not being seen and it's mid-July |
Why
Are We Seeing So Few Monarch Butterflies?
Have
you noticed that there are fewer Monarch butterflies fluttering around these
days? You're not alone, and there's a good reason for it. Monarchs need a vast,
healthy migratory path and large, robust forests to survive the winter.
Unfortunately, these crucial habitats are under threat.
The
Challenges Monarchs Face
Monarch
butterflies are facing a significant reduction in their breeding habitat in the
U.S. due to herbicide use and changes in land use. Additionally, their
wintering sites in Mexico are experiencing forest degradation, making it harder
for them to survive the cold months.
A
Rough Year for Monarchs
The
year 2024 has been particularly tough on Monarchs. The ice storm in Texas in
2023 and the historic hot summer that followed have severely impacted their
population. Reports from overwintering sites for the eastern population of
Monarchs in Mexico show a staggering 59% decrease—the second lowest count in
history. Meanwhile, the California population has dropped by 30%.
The
Push for Protection
Back
in 2014, there was a petition to list Monarchs under the federal Endangered
Species Act. In December 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed that
the listing was warranted but had to prioritize other actions on its National
Priority List. The Monarch is now slated to be listed in 2024.
Expert
Insights
Chip
Taylor from Monarch Watch explains why we're seeing so few Monarchs: "When
their numbers are low, it suggests that there are threats. The biggest threats
Monarchs face are habitat loss and changes in weather patterns. Warmer
temperatures negatively affect Monarch populations."
A
Message from the WWF
The
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has also weighed in on the issue. During the
2023-2024 winter season, estimates showed that Monarchs occupied only 2.2 acres
of central Mexico's forests—59% less than the previous year. This annual
survey, conducted by WWF and its partners, is a key indicator of the Monarch
population's status.
The
Bigger Picture
Scientists
believe that climate variations in the Monarchs' breeding areas in Canada and
the U.S. have led to high temperatures and drought. These conditions have
reduced the abundance of milkweed, the only plant where Monarchs lay their
eggs. Additionally, land-use changes and the widespread use of herbicides have
further contributed to the loss of milkweed and other nectar plants essential
for adult Monarchs.
Call
to Action
"Fewer
Monarchs hibernating in their traditional forest habitat in Mexico greatly
concerns all of us," said Jorge Rickards, general director of WWF Mexico.
"It's critical that all communities, governments, non-governmental
organizations, scientists, and others continue to strengthen our conservation
and protection efforts to support the Monarch's unique migration."
This
situation isn't just a random occurrence; it's a call to action. We need to
intensify our conservation and restoration measures both inside and outside the
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve to ensure these beautiful butterflies
continue to grace our skies.