Natural History Wanderings

The New York Times reported that Monarch Butterflies have experienced an 81 percent population loss between 1999 and 2010. Their wintering grounds in Mexico continue to shrink from illegal logging in Mexico as well as a warming climate. Visitors who come to see the butterflies create disturbance.

Possibly  the greatest threat is the decrease in amount of milkweed. Milkweed is often considered a weed by farmers and sprayed with herbicide. Milkweed is the only plant where Monarchs lay their eggs and is essential for their survival.

Read more at: Monarchs Fight for Their Lives – NYTimes.com