Alarm sounded: Whether endangered or not,monarchs warrant attention

In recent months we have received mixed messages regarding the monarch butterfly, one of the most recognized, and appreciated, insects. Nature experts announced in January that monarchs’ numbers had risen significantly, by as much as 35%, especially among the colonies that dwell in the western United States.

This month, however, the distinctive creatures officially were placed on the endangered species list by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Despite the winter rebound, the union notes that overall numbers of the butterflies in this country have declined between 22% and 72% over the past 10 years, and by as much as 95% over 30 years.

Surely most people will find the news alarming. Marianna Treviño-Wright, executive director of the NationalButterflyCenter in Mission, however, tells us we shouldn’t be. Treviño-Wright insists that monarch populations are healthy, and they aren’t on any official U.S. endangered list.

So are they in trouble or not? That’s a big question in the Rio GrandeValley, which lies along the migratory path of the largest groups of monarchs. Local residents, and environmental tourists, enjoy the swarms of the beautiful insects as they pass back and forth between their summer homes in Canada and winter roosts in Mexico.

Regardless of their status, the butterflies face major challenges because their habitat, and their diet, is limited and specific. Habitat loss, especially in the forests of deep Mexico, reduce their roosting sites, while the milkweed that the monarchs’ caterpillars depend upon are considered weeds and often are eradicated. The availability of the plant is only half of the problem; herbicides that many people use to kill them also poison the caterpillars. Pesticides used on flowering and fruiting plants also affect the adult butterflies along with other pollinating insects.

During the current heat wave, it’s also worth noting that unseasonably hot weather has contributed to population declines in the past, as was the case as recently as 2017.

Because monarchs pass through the Valley twice a year, local residents who are interested in helping them can take a few steps to do so. The first is to reduce pesticide use. In addition, residents might consider dedicating a patch of their yard to growing milkweed so the caterpillars can feed on it, and flowering plants, whether ornamental or fruiting, for the pollinating adults. Residents can encourage local officials to do the same in their landscaping and upkeep of areas that can be used as wildlife habitat, such as along resacas and hike-and-bike trails.

Obviously, monarchs are more than a mere delight for those who enjoy their visits to the Valley. As pollinators, they contribute to the success of South Texas agriculture that depends upon them to increase fruit and vegetable harvests. In addition, they are a major draw for ecotourists who help our economy with their own trips here.

Monarchs face challenges all along their migratory path. Local residents can do what they can to help them by simply reducing pesticides and providing the plants they need to help them make it a little further down the road.