The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may consider placing Monarch butterflies on their Endangered Species Act as a threatened species.
President of the North American Butterfly Association Jeffery Glassberg cites three major causes for their decline: breeding ground loss, due to deforestation in Mexico, and climate change. Glassberg says the third threat is not a lack of milkweed - the primary food source for Monarch caterpillars locally - but rather agricultural insecticides.
“The greatly widespread use of insecticides all through the Monarch habitat and especially a class of pesticides called neonicotinoids. And these butterflies are incredibly sensitive to these, and it kills butterflies.”
The public will have a chance to weigh in on the Monarch’s threatened status before March 12th, 2025. After public comments close, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials will determine if the proposal moves forward.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
EU to fully ban neonicotinoid insecticides to protect bees
Map of Monarch Sightings During Migration
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