I just finished reading the latest report about the Monarch populations overwintering in Mexico. It’s not good.
I’ll try and provide just a brief summary, but I encourage you to read the full article when you have time.
Only 7 Monarch Butterfly colonies were observed comprising 1.92 hectares (however big that is). In the 1990′s the occupied areas of Monarch Butterfly colonies was around 9 hectares. I’m no math wizard, but even I can tell that’s a pretty steep decline. In fact, according to Monarch Watch.org this is the lowest number ever observed since the overwintering colonies first became known in 1975.
So why the steep decline? Chip Taylor, from Monarch Watch, provides a pretty good summary (much better than I could do):
- High temperatures in Texas in March and early April limited production of first generation monarchs. It is these monarchs that recolonize the northern breeding range and fewer monarchs moving north/northeast out of Texas from late April to June impacts the rest of the breeding season.
- Conditions were less than ideal for the first generation monarchs as they moved north in May and early June.
- Upon arrival in Minnesota, monarchs encountered drought conditions that limited reproductive success of first generation in that area.
- As the summer progressed, cool and cool, rainy conditions prevailed in many areas, limiting reproduction and slowing development of larvae.
- Colder than normal conditions prevailed for most of the western two-thirds of the northern breeding area from mid June into early September.
I can’t speak for the rest of the country, but I can share what we have experienced here in Houston, Texas. The summer was miserably hot, and dry. We were in drought conditions throughout most of the summer. Now in the winter months, it has been colder than it has been in over a decade. It also appears (at least to me) to be quite a bit wetter than normal. My backyard has been pretty much decimated by the cold. Most of my nectar and host plants are now dark twigs. I’m unsure if they will be able to rebound once the weather warms up. If not, I’ll replace everything, but it’s also why I haven’t been taking many pictures in the backyard. It’s just ugly.
I’ll close with some potential good news. Thus far, there hasn’t been a significant number of weather related mortalities in the colonies. As long as that doesn’t occur over the next 7-8 weeks, the Monarchs should be able to recover. Keep your fingers crossed!
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by texdr
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