Monarch butterflies could be less common in future, part of bigger concern
Pollinators across the country are losing habitat and that could impact our favorite foods
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The Monarch Butterfly and its many varieties are common sights across the U.S., but expert entomologists are warning that might not always be the case.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a species status assessment last year, noting that the habitats of Monarchs common in the Midwest are disappearing. While habitat loss is a huge factor, the number of butterflies could drop in the future because of disease, warmer temperatures, weed killer and drought.
“The numbers have been fluctuating so much over the last couple of decades that, although I was not expecting this news, I am also not incredibly surprised to hear it either,” said senior entomologist of the Sachs Butterfly House, Tad Yankoski. “This reinforces how important it is to act swiftly to protect migrating Monarchs while we still can. "
Famous for their orange coloring, and thousands of miles long migration from Canada to Mexico — experts have described Monarchs as a boom-bust insect. When conditions are good, they’re fine, but if the environment changes, they’re heavily impacted, according to Fish and Wildlife information.
The Butterfly House has been working on Project Pollinator, a way of increasing the number of pollinator plant locations in the St. Louis area, for some time. Their experts are also worried about falling Monarch population numbers because these insects share habitats with other important insects.
Bees, flies and major pollinators share habitats with Monarchs. Their pollination of the flowers also means pollination of fruits, vegetables, ingredients for chocolate and other foods. Experts say that without sustainable entomological areas — we could face serious impacts.
Experts say ing the Monarchs and other pollinators is easy. Avoid weed killers, plant native flora and let some tasty weed plants stick around as natural hangouts for Monarchs.
Avery Martinez covers water, ag & the environment for First Alert 4. He is also a Report for America corps member. RFA places talented, emerging journalists in newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America is an initiative of The GroundTruth Project, an award-winning nonprofit journalism organization dedicated to rebuilding journalism from the ground up.
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