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When people hear about endangered
species they usually think of elephants or pandas. They never imagine that an insect species
would potentially be listed as endangered.
Eastern monarch butterflies are quickly declining in North America and
can completely disappear within the next 20 years (courant). The belief is that this species is declining
because of loss of wintering habitat, climate change, increased pesticide use
and genetically modified crops (courant). And since 1990, 970 million monarch
butterflies have vanished (washingtonpost). In fact, monarch butterflies are reaching a
quasi-extinction point. This
quasi-extinction is a term used when there are potentially not enough
individuals for reproduction (courant). This species may not seem all that important,
but it is an environmental indicator species that informs us about the
condition of the environment (courant). The loss of this species can mean that other
species will soon be in decline, including humans (courant). Many organizations understand the importance
of this species and have contributed significant funds to conserve them. Fish and Wildlife agency is providing $2
million to plant milkweed and raise awareness about the need for this plant (washingtonpost).
They are also planting 200,000 acres of milkweed from Texas to Minnesota where
50 percent of monarchs migrate (washingtonpost).
Government agencies are not the only group to donate money and effort to saving
these butterflies. A chemical company in
Louisiana created a garden waystation for the monarch (washingtontimes). This garden supplies milkweed for passing
butterflies to feed on and lay their eggs on (washingtontimes). It is also certified as a wildlife habitat by
the National Wildlife Federation (washingtontimes). Nonprofit organizations want to see success
in saving the monarch butterfly as well.
A lawsuit was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and the
Center for Food Safety against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for not
following the Endangered Species Act (biologicaldiversity). This lawsuit will force the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to issue a final decision regarding the
protection status with the monarch butterfly (biologicaldiversity). Monarch butterflies are not
the only insects that need attention and assistance. Recently, the rusty-patched bumblebee was considered
to be put on the endangered species list (takepart). Its populations have decreased by 95% and
will continue to decline unless action is taken immediately (takepart). Honeybees pollinate a third of the world’s
food supply which is why it is so vital to protect these organisms (takepart). The same things that are affecting monarch
butterflies (pesticide use, habitat loss, etc.) are also affecting these
honeybees (takepart).
As monarch butterfly and honeybee populations continue
to decline, we are losing more of the world’s food supply. Action needs to be taken now or the impacts
will be detrimental with the loss of these species.
References
- http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-monarch-butterfly-extinction-risk-20160321-story.html
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/09/the-monarch-massacre-nearly-a-billion-butterflies-have-vanished/
- http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/19/basf-creates-a-habitat-for-endangered-monarch-butt/?page=all
- https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2016/monarch-butterfly-01-05-2016.html
- http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/09/22/us-considers-giving-endangered-species-protection-rusty-patched-bumblebee
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