Current status of monarch butterflies

The Monarch Butterfly

I wanted to discuss about a unique species called the monarch butterfly.  Our group and I in our science educational graduate class will be presenting a podcast based on this popular milkweed species at the end of the semester.  I thought it would be a nice idea to share some insight about this insect.

The monarch butterfly, or Danaus plexippus , is quite famous not only for its beautiful coloring, but also for its migration cycles from one part of the world to another.  Monarchs are residents of Western Europe, but are more prominent in North America.  They will complete a migration from Canada all the south to Mexico in just 3 or 4 generations; their life span is approximately 2-3 months, however.   They are even known for migrating across the Atlantic ocean!

Their migration begins in August of a the given year.  They hibernate along the way.  Their mortality rate is exceedingly high due to natural predators, such as birds, that they have to face.  Not only due they have to deal with environmental stresses of finding food, mates, and shelter, but currently, their population is at an all time low from the past 20 years.  Below is a link explaining possible reasons why this is so:

Monarch Butterfly Survey Indicates Lowest Number in 20 years

 The major reason ecologists hypothesize why their numbers are decreasing is due to decrease in the population of their natural food source; the milkweed plant.  This,again, ties in with a loss of biodiversity.  Private owners and government leaders who own acres of lands across North America are removing forests to build homes and/or buildings for thriving businesses.  The decline of the milkweed plant may not only cause that plant to become endangered but can cause a domino effect due to its recent fall.  Monarch butterflies may become endangered as well since their primary food source is now scarce. 

Monarchs will either have to adapt to other food sources or compete for minimal milkweed plants in certain areas.  This will drive out monarchs that are least fit for survival as our science friend, Charles Darwin, would say.  Just another story about how biodiversity is being adversely affected.

In our podcast, which is catered to 7th-8th grade science students, will discuss topics such as hibernation, migration, latitude/longitude and reproductive cycles of monarch butterflies.  It should be a good one.