Monarch butterflies are in danger! Monarch butterflies are in the Nymphalidae family, the largest butterflies with more than 6,000 species around the world.
This winter, the Monarchs migrated to Mexico more than a week later than their usual date, October 20th, due to the cold and rain that’s been happening in the United States.
Other causes for their decreasing numbers are because of pesticides, habitat loss, and fewer native plants (milkweeds are where they lay their eggs).
According to an article on The Guardian, Andrew Rhodes, Mexico’s national commissioner for protected natural areas, stated that “Once in Mexican territory, the butterflies occupied an area that gives us a lot of hope for the future..,” but this doesn’t guarantee that the Monarchs are out of danger.
These butterflies are needed because they “help plants pollinate and are a crucial part of the food cycle (they are a food source for other animals),” says Ms. Indira Jimenez, teacher at Poly.
Luckily, Poly has a garden bed in the Poly community garden dedicated to the Monarchs and this January, 3 caterpillars were found in the garden which is a great start to help them out.
We can all continue to help Monarchs by planting more milkweeds, avoid using pesticides in gardens, finding a way to stop climate change, and spreading the word.
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