US wildlife officials announced a proposal to list the iconic Monarch butterfly as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. The butterfly that migrates from Mexico to Canada and back in four generations has suffered severe population declines due to habitat loss. Without immediate conservation action the beautiful black and yellow butterfly could disappear from the North American continent before the end of the century. The eastern migration population is estimated to have declined by 80% since the 1980s, while the western population has declined by a shocking 95%. In their Mexican forest winter habitat the population dropped 22% in just one year, 2021-22 says the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized the species as endangered in 2022.
As expected, climate change is playing a major role in the declines. Droughts, heat and frosts are killing its major food source, milkweed. Monarchs also lay their eggs on the plant to insure a food source for their catepillars. Pollinators like the Monarch are responsible for 75% of the food consumed by humans. [photo credit: Getty Images]
If the proposed rule is finalized after public comment, it will protect nearly 4400 acres in California vital to the western population. The fate of the rule change is uncertain given the hostility of the incoming regime to conservation efforts. People can help the insect by planting milkweed in their gardens, even in small areas to provide them with sufficient nectar to make their arduous migrations. Despite its fragility, the butterfly is remarkably resilient and could recover if given the opportunity by man.