MONARCH Butterflies - SOFT breezes from HEAVEN

Monarch Butterfly Survey Points to Lowest Numbers in 20 Years

They seem to stand in the sky floating like soft coloured breezes. They come in clouds of thousands migrating each year from the US plains to the Mexican forests when cold prepares to install.

Their numbers are calculated having has a reference the Mexican forest total area occupied after arriving from their long winter migration.

Occupied Forest with Monarch Colonies  

Scientists become worried when last year's count reached its lowest levels in two decades. According to a survey carried out during the 2012-2013 winter season by the WWF-Telcel Alliance and Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Areas, the nine hibernating colonies occupied area,  has decreased 59% regarding last year survey.

Reasons have been put forwarded in order to explain the latest decrease in monarch butterflies. A decrease in the

Milkweed Plant

milkweed plant (Asclepias) – a primary food for monarchs – and herbicide use in the butterfly’s reproductive and feeding grounds in the US, as well as extreme climate variations during the fall and summer are among the main reasons which have certainly affected butterfly reproduction. 

“Extreme climate fluctuations in the US and Canada affect the survival and reproduction of butterflies. The monarch’s lifecycle depends on the climatic conditions in the places where they develop. Eggs, larvae and pupae develop more quickly in milder conditions. Temperatures above 95F can be lethal for larvae, and eggs dry out in hot, arid conditions, causing a drastic decrease in hatch rate,” said Omar Vidal, Director General of WWF-Mexico. 

Monarch butterflies which migrate to Mexico feed on milkweed in the soy and corn fields of the US. The use of herbicides to eradicate this plant, considered a toxic weed for cattle, has reduced the amount of available milkweed by up to 58%. 

Monarch Cycle

“The conservation of monarch butterflies is a responsibility shared by Mexico, the US and Canada. By protecting its sanctuaries and practically eliminating large-scale deforestation, Mexico is doing its part. It is necessary that the US and Canada also do their part and protect the habitat of the monarch in their countries,” Vidal added. 

“The WWF-Telcel Alliance celebrates 10 years of supporting the conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources of Mexico and the well-being of the people that depend on those resources. The Alliance has worked with local communities, the government and civil society to conserve the monarch forests in a way that benefits nature, local populations, and those that visit the Reserve. Among these projects is the development of sustainable business such as tree nurseries, mushroom production modules, and handicraft production, as well as the improvement of tourist infrastructure at El Rosario, and Cerro Prieto in Michoacán” said Marcela Velasco, Director of Marketing at Telcel. Source WWF