Monarch Butterflies: Is Mexico soley responsible for the regicide of the Monarch?

Update: March 14, 2020:

https://apnews.com/93e2577c13244fc10319126fdc1e5cda

2019:

Published accounts have described the terrible loss of pine trees in Mexico as a cause of Monarch butterfly population declines. Because Monarch butterflies migrate between Mexico, Canada and the United States, what happens in the three countries affects the population levels of this species. Published information in this country concedes that pesticide use impacts this species on its migratory pathways and statistics on agricultural chemical use clearly show astronomical increases in the number of pounds of chemicals used in this country over the last twenty years.* The result is that much of this species' decline is undoubtedly connected to agricultural practices in this country, and therefore Mexico is not the only player involved in this wandering species' decline.

Here's the sad thing. Frostweed is an excellent butterfly food source. We used to see Monarchs and related species feasting here every year on their annual migration. Their numbers were mind boggling. Soon after the turn of the 21st century, butterfly numbers decreased slowly until less than five years ago the migration all but stopped. Three or four years ago there was a small burst of late fall migrants, but most of those Monarchs were killed by a hard freeze and there were scattered bodies covering the ground. In the last two years, these plants grow each year and bloom spectacularly, but few butterflies take advantage of this food source as this photo clearly shows. As you see, this photo was taken at the height of Monarch migration, but there are no butterflies feeding on these plants. It's been like that for the last few years, and it's obvious the Monarchs are missing. Other species of plants were fed upon by Monarchs, as you see in these 2008 to 2013 photos, but now these plants flower in the absence of Monarchs on the LBJ Settlement as well. Notably, since 2010, the number of Monarch butterfly photographic moments is spotty at best or missing altogether. Our skies used to be full of butterflies; now it is a rare sight to find one migrating butterfly, let alone hundreds as previously seen. If this is happening all across the Texas Hill County, or if you have seen a similar drop in Monarch numbers, please post a comment below, make a similar observation, and keep your own journal. Here's a good explanation of the decline:

*http://e360.yale.edu/features/tracking_the_causes_of_sharp__decline_of_the_monarch_butterfly

2018 saw a return in numbers to a level of the population average in years past. For the latest projection for 2019, see this article:

https://monarchwatch.org/blog/2019/11/17/monarch-population-status-41/

Here is a more in-depth explanation of the plight of Monarch Butterflies. You can clearly see the decline of populations to today's numbers.

https://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/conservation_overview.html

And an important Monarch Butterfly conservation organization:

https://www.monarchwatch.org

There are a number of sockpuppets posting critical comments on various Monarch sites such as this one:

http://weedcontrolfreaks.com/2014/02/are-herbicides-responsible-for-the-decline-in-monarch-butterflies/

Take care when reading critical comments and look for additional sources about the topic. Of course, we all take those precautions every time we view articles we support, I'm sure. I've noticed internet trolls active on sites wherever environmental or scientific issues are discussed. Basically, these socks are attempting to make you believe their own fake news that everything is fine and there are no environmental problems caused by humans.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/151313979@N08/44777939075/in/dateposted-public/

Posted on September 29, 2017 04:55 PM by billarbon