Monarch butterflies face steep decline in Western U.S.

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
This year the organization counted 9,119 monarchs, the second-lowest total since tracking began in 1997. The organization has recorded more than 200,000 monarchs in each of the last three years.
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.
Monarch butterflies have declined 80% or more in recent decades. Here's how to help
Thogmartin and other researchers have evaluated more than 200 scenarios for restoring greater than 1.3 billion stems of milkweed to rebuild their population. Without substantial participation from agriculture, efforts are not enough to restore their numbers because farm lands make up 77 percent of all potential habitat.
California's western monarch butterfly population is close to an all-time low
Scientists are grappling with a stark population decline of the western monarch butterfly after the species’ numbers hit a near all-time low.
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.
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Aptos High students helping preserve monarch butterfly population
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Monarch butterfly count plummets in SLO County. ‘Feels like a punch to the heart’
In 2023, more than 16,000 butterflies were counted at one local grove. The most recent count was a tiny fraction of that.
The Weather Network on MSN15h
Experts note significant decline in monarch population
The number of monarch butterflies dropped by 96% in 2024, marking the second-lowest number since 1997 according to a conservation society. Known for their beautiful orange and black wings, they winter ...
Echo Press3d
Year of the Asclepias: Celebrate the beauty and benefits of milkweed
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