Rough Year for Monarchs

The numbers out of Mexico aren't good, and I'm not talking about the border crisis.

Overwintering Monarch Butterfly totals from Mexico have just been released.  Nine colonies of monarchs were found and covered an area of just over 2 acres (0.90 hectares on the graph below).  Nearly all of the monarch butterflies in the world are overwintering in a space that is-

Less than two Football Fields! 

Or ten average suburban yards!

These numbers are down nearly 60% from the previous winter, and the second lowest number ever counted – the lowest was during the 2013–2014 season. 

The graph below is similar to the one we have shared before and shows the general overall decline, but this year's numbers were a shock to those who follow monarch butterfly news.  

We've talked about the plight of Monarchs before Monarch Watch, and our overall love of pollinators.  Loss of habitat is one of the major causes of their decline (as with most species), but this year was even worse because of the drought.

"Chip" Taylor, Founding Director of Monarch Watch says that "Monarch numbers are at a near all-time low because of drought conditions last fall that extended from Oklahoma deep into central Mexico. Droughts reduce flowering and therefore nectar production, and monarchs need the sugars in nectar to fuel the migration and to develop the fat reserves that get them through the winter." 

Common milkweed can go crazy in a landscape, but

it has nice big leaves for feeding monarch caterpillars.

"To recover, monarchs will need an abundance of milkweeds and nectar sources. We need to get more milkweed and nectar plants in the ground, and we all need to contribute to this effort." says Kristen Baum, Director of Monarch Watch.

What can you do to help?

1. Plant a pollinator-friendly garden using native flowers (for nectar), and especially milkweed, the only source of food for monarch larvae

We can Help You, Help Them!  Contact Us!

2. Provide water sources and basking areas

Do Butterfly Houses Work?

3. Avoid using insecticides and other pesticides, and fertilize with natural compost

4. Support pollinator conservation actions in your hometown, like Plant.Grow.Fly, and get kids involved!

5. Talk to your friends, family and neighbors about pollinators and how they can help out, too.  

6. Like and Share this article, and others like it, on social media.

If you would like some milkweed seeds you can stop by the office and we will have some packets of common, butterfly and swamp milkweed to share while supplies last.    These will need planted ASAP

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, 

nothing is going to get better. 

It’s not.” - Dr Seuss