INDIANA – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the monarch butterfly as a “threatened” species under the Endangered Species Act, a move prompted by the species’ alarming population decline. The proposed listing comes after years of troubling declines in monarch numbers, as the butterfly’s eastern migratory population has dropped by approximately 80%, and its western migratory population has plummeted by more than 95% since the 1980s.
Under the Endangered Species Act, a species is classified as “threatened” when it is at risk of becoming endangered within the foreseeable future. Monarch butterflies, known for their striking orange-and-black wings, undertake a remarkable journey each year, migrating thousands of miles across North America to spend winters in the forests and mountains of central Mexico. However, the species’ future has become increasingly uncertain due to growing threats.
The monarch plays a critical role in its ecosystem, helping to maintain biodiversity as a vital food source for various animals. However, experts warn that habitat loss from illegal logging, exposure to harmful insecticides, and the ongoing impacts of the climate crisis are driving significant disruptions to the butterfly’s breeding and migratory patterns.
In particular, extreme weather events such as droughts, frosts, and heat waves across North America have decimated milkweed, the monarch’s primary food source, and destroyed its habitat. These environmental stresses are further compounded by a lack of suitable breeding grounds, leading to a sharp decline in monarch populations.
Without urgent conservation measures, wildlife officials warn that the monarch butterfly could vanish from the continent within decades. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed listing as “threatened” marks an essential step in efforts to protect this beloved species. However, experts emphasize the need for immediate action to ensure the survival of the monarch, whose migration has long captivated people’s hearts worldwide.
