The iconic species is now being reviewed by the FWS for consideration as an endangered species.
Monarch butterflies have suffered dramatic population losses in the past two decades. The insect population has decreased roughly 90 percent in the past twenty years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced on Monday that it will conduct a yearlong study to determine whether the monarch butterfly should be considered endangered, and thus protected by the Endangered Species Act.
“The Service will now conduct a status review to determine whether listing is warranted,” the FWS stated on their website.
Monarch butterflies travel across the United States and into Mexico. The number of monarch butterflies has decreased from one billion in the 1990’s to about 35 million last winter, which is the smallest recorded population of monarch butterflies in the United States. If the FWS decides to place the species under the endangered list, the U.S. government will take action to protect the species, such as setting aside preservations for the species.
According to experts, two main causes are responsible for the dramatic drop in monarch population. The first is the loss of habitat: monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants, but pesticides and herbicide have eliminated the majority of milkweed plants. Secondly, the pesticides used on farms kill many of the caterpillars that would eventually metamorphose into monarch butterflies.
Tierra Curry, a senior scientist for the Center for Biological Diversity, commented on the recent action by the FWS to protect the monarch butterfly.
“This will be a rallying point and hopefully a turning point for the population. This announcement shows how big the problem is,” said Curry.
“The Endangered Species Act is the most powerful tool available to save monarchs, so I’m really happy these amazing butterflies are a step closer to the protection they so desperately need,” she said.
The FWS was prompted to initiate the review of the Monarch butterfly population after the Center for Biological Diversity, the Center for Food Safety, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and Dr. Lincoln Brower filed a petition to list the species as endangered.
