Monarch butterfly population in Western U.S. nears record 30-year low. Here's what to know.
The number of monarch butterflies spending winter in the western U.S. dropped dramatically this year, despite moves to extend protections for the insect.
Dramatic drop in monarch butterfly count nears record 30-year low
The number of monarch butterflies spending the winter in the western United States dropped dramatically this year even as federal officials move to extend protections for the beloved pollinator
Monarch butterfly numbers hit near record low in California. Here's why that matters
Just over 9,000 monarchs were counted in California last winter, the second lowest ever since the annual count began in 1997
The decline of monarch butterflies
Not that long ago, monarch butterflies used to migrate in droves. However, over the last few decades, the number of these iconic creatures has dropped drastically.
Of California fires and monarch butterflies
Much of California’s Habitat for the migratory Monarch butterfly is gone. Wild fires have decimated groves of trees and plants where the Western Monarch winters. The typical flight plan of the Monarch is to breed in sunny California and fly north to lay their eggs on Milkweed plants where their caterpillars will feed.
Monarch butterflies face steep decline in the Western U.S.
Monarch butterflies in the western U.S. have dropped to just 9,119 this year. In 2023, the count was 233,394, meaning a 96% decline.
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Western Monarch Butterfly Overwintering Population Falls 96 Percent, Second-Lowest Number On Record
We know small populations are especially vulnerable to environmental fluctuations, and we think that’s what happened this ...