The recent monarch population report shows a marked decline in the number of adult monarch butterflies that had migrated to Mexico. There butterflies covered approximately five acres of forest canopy there, but that is about two acres smaller than last year. Scientists are estimating the long-term average of 15 acres of occupied forest canopy is needed to sustain the eastern North America monarch population and its continental migration. The report notes there has been a loss of habitat in the United States, forest degradation in Mexico and extreme weather events contributing to the population decline over the past 25 years. In December of last year, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) concluded the monarch butterfly should be added to the Endangered Species Act list of threatened and endangered species, but was precluded by work on higher-priority listing actions. The monarch now becomes a candidate for listing in 2024. However, voluntary conservation efforts are being recommended within the upper Midwest. Establishing breeding habitats are of prime importance. Director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Kayla Lyon, says it is critical to act now in providing this habitat to minimize further declines in population. “Together, we can all do our part to provide the necessary habitat for those butterflies by simply planting milkweed or other native wildflowers not just on large landscapes, but even in our backyards and planters. We are proud of our continued partnerships that focus on providing this habitat on a larger scale on our publicly managed lands.” Links to several free publications on monarchs and their habitats, developed by experts who have collaborated with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, can be found below.
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Links to free publications:
- “5 Ways to Help the Monarchs” https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/15817
- “Enhancing Monarch Butterfly Conservation in Iowa” https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/15925
Additional resources:
- https://monarch.ent.iastate.edu/
- https://twitter.com/iowamonarchs
- https://www.facebook.com/iowamonarchs
