In November of 2012, 60 million Monarch butterflies were
estimated to have migrated from southern Canada to northern Mexico. In November of 2013, only 3 million Monarch
butterflies were thought to have made the journey[1]. The sharp decline in Monarch butterflies
over the past few years has unsettled the souls of scientists, naturalists, and
ecologists everywhere. What is
contributing to the decline of these fragile, beautiful creatures? Researchers across the U.S. have been
conducting studies to pinpoint an answer.
The results from their studies are slowly being revealed.
 |
| http://www.nathab.com/photo-tours/latin-america/monarch-butterfly-photography-adventure/ |
According to a New York Times article published last week the
reason for Monarch decline is directly related to both our farming and our
landscape practices in the U.S1.
Chemicals used on crops to kill
weeds, are killing native vegetation on which Monarchs thrive. Milkweed (Asclepias
spp.) is the native plant, on which most Monarchs depend for food and
reproduction. Additionally, the lack of native plants incorporated into our rural,
urban, and suburban landscapes, is creating “food deserts” for Monarch
butterflies. However, this “food desert”
reality is not only devastating Monarch populations, but it is also devastating
populations of other pollinators, including native bees and honeybees. Honeybee populations have been on the decline
over the last several years as a result of the Varroa mite and a virus that
causes a phenomenon in honeybee colonies, known as Colony Collapse Disorder[2]. Both diseases are exacerbated when honeybees
cannot find native forage on which to feed2. The lack of native forage lowers immune
system effectiveness in bees and thus increases their susceptibility to
diseases. Honeybees are vital to our food system
and are responsible for the pollination of many of our nation’s crops.
Collectively bee pollinated crops are thought to bring in approximately $15
billion in revenue to the U.S. each year[3]. Monarchs, butterflies, honeybees, and native
bees are all pollinators that play an important role in the food we eat.
The good news: We can
stop the decline of both Monarchs and honeybees. We can encourage policies that support
preserving native flora landscapes on our farmlands, in our cities, and along
our streets. We can also plant more
native flowers in our yards and home gardens.
The bad news: Does anyone really care? Are there enough people, who care, to make a
positive difference?
I have shared my
distress about the fate of the Monarch butterfly with others. Some people have nodded their heads in sorrowful
acknowledgement, while others have given me blank stares that say, “Why are you
upset about a damn butterfly?” I get
it. I can be weird sometimes, and a
little over zealous about the environmental problems of our day. However, I do not think I am wrong to feel
sadness about this phenomenon that is occurring. Our butterfly friends are ecological
indicators, whose health is directly related to the health of our environments
– and, in this instance, the health of our agricultural environments. Without butterflies, bees, and other pollinators,
we do not eat. However, my sadness does
not come from this reality alone. My
sadness also comes from a realization of what will be lost if the Monarchs
cease to be.
Monarch butterflies are the type of creatures you would find
in a J.K Rowling book. They are
mythical, mysterious, and almost believably magical. Every year the great grandchildren of Monarch
butterflies, who fly north to Canada in the spring, fly south to Mexico and
California in the fall[4]. How these butterflies know where to fly and
when, is still something of a mystery.
Every third generation of Monarch butterfly flies approximately 3,000
miles across the U.S. When the Monarchs
fly south in the fall they end their trips in Southern California or in the
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt Pine-Oak Forests of Michoacán. In these destination
locations, Monarchs congregate by the millions on trees throughout the forests
to mate. In her book, “Flight Pattern,”
Barbara Kingsolver uses the following words to describe the spectacle that is
the congregation of Monarchs[5]:
“It looked like the inside of joy, if a
person could see that. A valley of
lights,
an
ethereal wind.”
 |
| http://www.nathab.com/photo-tours/latin-america/monarch-butterfly-photography-adventure/ |
Should Monarchs cease to be, the magic that is their existence
will also cease to be. I can see no
greater loss of something so wonder-filled and beautiful.
I have hope that people will care that these butterflies are
dying. Hope is all I have as a
naturalist. However, I also have hope,
because I know that by sharing the story of the Monarchs with others, they will
be inspired too. A few days ago, I
shared the story of the Monarch butterfly with the young students I teach. I expected most of them to give me the “Why
are you upset about a damn butterfly?” stare.
However, much to my surprise every single student looked at me with a
face of sincere sadness. They shared
with me in my grief, even if just for a moment.
Their faces gave me hope, and it is for them I write. I do not want a
world without Monarch butterflies. A
world without Monarchs is almost as tragic as a world without Santa Claus. Monarchs help us to believe in something
unexplainable. They help us believe in
something greater than ourselves, and they help us to believe in a world that
is beautiful. We need butterflies and
bees for our food system, yes, but we also need them to instill in us the kind
of wonder that keeps us young and life-full.
So I ask you to please join with me in my sadness, even if
just for a moment. I also ask that you feel inspired. There are many ways you can help improve the
fate of the Monarchs and other pollinators.
Planting a butterfly
garden that includes milkweed (Asclepias
spp.) is a good place to start. For
more information on butterfly and pollinator gardens, please visit this site. Please see this site for more information about how
you can help protect Monarchs. Be
inspired and please help in any way that you are able.
I thank you for being with me in my grief. I hope for you
wonder and light, and one day may you see the inside of joy.
22,
2013.
Bloomberg. July 24, 2013.
