{"id":21186,"date":"2017-09-13T00:00:30","date_gmt":"2017-09-13T04:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=21186"},"modified":"2017-09-13T00:02:12","modified_gmt":"2017-09-13T04:02:12","slug":"monarch-butterflies-risk-extinction-pesticides-habitat-loss-blame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2017\/09\/monarch-butterflies-risk-extinction-pesticides-habitat-loss-blame\/","title":{"rendered":"Monarch Butterflies at Risk of Extinction; Pesticides, Habitat Loss to Blame"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>(<em>Beyond Pesticides<\/em>, September 13, 2017) According to a study published in the journal <em>Biological Conservation<\/em>, Monarch butterfly populations <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-21205\" src=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/images-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"274\" height=\"184\" \/>from western North America have declined far more dramatically than was previously known and face a greater risk of extinction \u2013 86 percent in the next 50 years. The researchers do not know the exact cause but identify habitat loss and widespread pesticide use as likely culprits.<\/p>\n<p>Migratory monarchs in the west could disappear in the next few decades if steps are not taken to recover the population, the study\u2019s lead author, Cheryl Schultz, PhD, an associate professor at Washington State University Vancouver\u00a0states. &#8220;Western monarchs are faring worse than their eastern counterparts. In the 1980s, 10 million monarchs spent the winter in coastal California. Today there are barely 300,000,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>Western monarchs (<em>Danaus plexippus<\/em>)\u00a0have a spectacular migration. They overwinter in forested groves along coastal California, then lay their eggs on milkweed and drink nectar from flowers in the spring in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah. They then return to their coastal overwintering sites in the fall. Eastern monarch, whose <a href=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2017\/02\/herbicide-use-contributes-declines-monarch-populations\/\">numbers are also in decline<\/a>,\u00a0travel instead across the border into Mexico to wait out the winter. The researchers from Washington State University, working with communities along the coast of California, pooled data on butterfly numbers from across the state to create a single estimate of the western monarch&#8217;s numbers. They then predicted the monarch population&#8217;s risk of extinction over the next several decades. The study concludes that current trends indicate an extinction risk of 72% in 20\u00a0years and 86% in 50\u00a0years.<\/p>\n<p>The study, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0006320717304809\">Citizen science monitoring demonstrates dramatic declines of monarch butterflies in western North America<\/a>,\u201d funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), notes the exact causes of the decline in western monarchs are not yet clear, but the loss and modification of its habitat and pesticide use across the West, where monarchs breed, are likely culprits. Climate change and threats to coastal California overwintering sites likely also play a role.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Schultz adds, &#8220;This study doesn&#8217;t just show that there are fewer monarchs now than 35 years ago. It also tells us that, if things stay the same, western monarchs probably won&#8217;t be around as we know them in another 35 years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>FWS is <a href=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2015\/01\/fish-and-wildlife-service-to-consider-federal-protection-for-monarch-butterfly\/\">set to determine<\/a> whether to protect monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act. An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centerforfoodsafety.org\/press-releases\/4424\/agreement-monarch-butterfly-to-get-endangered-species-act-protection-decision-by-2019\">agreement<\/a> was made with Center for Food Safety and the Center for Biological Diversity in July 2016 which requires the agency to decide by June 2019 whether the butterflies will receive federal protection.\u00a0This agreement came in response to a lawsuit earlier that year to force the agency to set a legally binding deadline for a decision on a <a href=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2014\/08\/groups-petition-federal-government-to-protect-monarch-butterflies\/\">2014 petition<\/a> calling for protection of the species. Many see FWS\u2019 consideration of federal protection for monarchs as a positive step toward improving habitat and raising awareness about the decline of the butterfly, as well as the plight of other pollinator populations<\/p>\n<p>Monarch butterflies are one of many important pollinator species that have experienced drastic declines in recent years. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed that grows wild, and reduced sources of milkweed pose a threat to monarch populations.\u00a0 The use of genetically engineered (GE) crops (Roundup-ready crops) allows the use of Monsanto\u2019s glyphosate in cropland,\u00a0which is an\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2013\/03\/dramatic-monarch-butterfly-decline-tied-to-ge-cropland-and-unseasonable-weather\/\">important factor<\/a>\u00a0in the decline of the monarch. <a href=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2015\/02\/monsantos-roundup-eradicates-milkweed-major-food-source-for-monarch-butterflies\/\">Glyphosate eradicates milkweed<\/a> and the dramatic surge in Roundup use and \u201cRoundup Ready\u201d crops has virtually wiped out milkweed plants in Midwestern corn and soybean fields. It is estimated that in the past 20 years these butterflies have lost more than 165 million acres of habitat.<\/p>\n<p>Along with threats from glyphosate use and habitat loss, the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2015\/02\/new-research-links-bee-killing-insecticide-to-monarch-butterfly-deaths\/\">use of neonicotinoid pesticides<\/a>\u00a0has also been linked to monarch declines. A <a href=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2016\/08\/evidence-shows-neonics-harm-butterflies\/\">2016 study<\/a> found that the increasing use of neonicotinoid (neonic) insecticides is correlated with a steep decline in butterfly health and reproductive success. This study looked at 67 species of butterfly in Northern California and found a correlation between butterfly population decline and increasing neonic applications, which also appeared to be more severe for smaller-bodied species. According to the researchers, the results suggest that neonics could influence non-target insect populations when applied nearby. Pesticides like neonicotinoids also harm other non-target pollinators like honey bees and other bee species. Studies show an association with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2015\/02\/neonics-harm-bees-brain-cells-according-to-researchers\/\">decreased learning<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2014\/02\/near-infinitesimal-exposure-to-neonicotinoids-reduces-bees-ability-to-gather-food\/\">foraging<\/a>\u00a0and navigational ability, as well as increased vulnerability to pathogens and parasites, in bees.<\/p>\n<p>Critical to the survival of monarchs, other pollinators, and organisms essential to ecological balance is the large-scale\u00a0adoption of organic farming practices. Beyond Pesticides supports\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondpesticides.org\/organicfood\/index.php\">organic agriculture<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0as effecting good land stewardship and a reduction in hazardous chemical exposures for workers on the farm. The pesticide reform movement, citing pesticide problems associated with chemical agriculture, from groundwater contamination and runoff to drift, views organic as the solution to a serious public health and environmental threat.<\/p>\n<p>There are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondpesticides.org\/pollinators\/protect\/steps.php\">several steps<\/a>\u00a0that may be taken to attract beneficial insects like monarchs and protect backyard habitats. Like any other living organisms, pollinators need food, water, and shelter in order to thrive. Planting milkweed in your backyard is a surefire way to help monarch populations. For more information, see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondpesticides.org\/pollinators\/LandscapesforPollinators.php\">Managing Landscapes with Pollinators in Mind<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondpesticides.org\/infoservices\/pesticidesandyou\/documents\/HedgerowsFall2014.pdf\">Hedgerows for Biodiversity: Habitat is needed to protect pollinators, other beneficial organisms, and healthy ecosystems<\/a>. \u00a0More information is available in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondpesticides.org\/pollinators\/documents\/BEEProtectiveHabitatGuide.pdf\">BEE Protective Habitat Guide<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/infoservices\/pesticidesandyou\/documents\/diy-biodiversity.pdf\">Do-It-Yourself Biodiversity<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2017-09-monarch-butterflies-western-north-america.html\">Phys.org<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-butterflies-monarch\/monarchs-in-western-u-s-risk-extinction-scientists-say-idUSKCN1BI2NA\">Reuters.com <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Beyond Pesticides, September 13, 2017) According to a study published in the journal Biological Conservation, Monarch butterfly populations from western North America have declined far more dramatically than was previously known and face a greater risk of extinction \u2013 86 percent in the next 50 years. The researchers do not know the exact cause but identify habitat loss and widespread pesticide use as likely culprits. Migratory monarchs in the west could disappear in the next few decades if steps are not taken to recover the population, the study\u2019s lead author, Cheryl Schultz, PhD, an associate professor at Washington State University Vancouver\u00a0states. &#8220;Western monarchs are faring worse than their eastern counterparts. In the 1980s, 10 million monarchs spent the winter in coastal California. Today there are barely 300,000,&#8221; she said. Western monarchs (Danaus plexippus)\u00a0have a spectacular migration. They overwinter in forested groves along coastal California, then lay their eggs on milkweed and drink nectar from flowers in the spring in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah. They then return to their coastal overwintering sites in the fall. Eastern monarch, whose numbers are also in decline,\u00a0travel instead across the border into Mexico to wait out the winter. The researchers from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,346,93,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-california","category-habitat-protection","category-pollinators","category-wildlifeenvironment"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Monarch Butterflies at Risk of Extinction; Pesticides, Habitat Loss to Blame - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2017\/09\/monarch-butterflies-risk-extinction-pesticides-habitat-loss-blame\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Monarch Butterflies at Risk of Extinction; Pesticides, Habitat Loss to Blame - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"(Beyond Pesticides, September 13, 2017) According to a study published in the journal Biological Conservation, Monarch butterfly populations from western North America have declined far more dramatically than was previously known and face a greater risk of extinction \u2013 86 percent in the next 50 years. The researchers do not know the exact cause but identify habitat loss and widespread pesticide use as likely culprits. Migratory monarchs in the west could disappear in the next few decades if steps are not taken to recover the population, the study\u2019s lead author, Cheryl Schultz, PhD, an associate professor at Washington State University Vancouver\u00a0states. &#8220;Western monarchs are faring worse than their eastern counterparts. In the 1980s, 10 million monarchs spent the winter in coastal California. Today there are barely 300,000,&#8221; she said. Western monarchs (Danaus plexippus)\u00a0have a spectacular migration. They overwinter in forested groves along coastal California, then lay their eggs on milkweed and drink nectar from flowers in the spring in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah. They then return to their coastal overwintering sites in the fall. Eastern monarch, whose numbers are also in decline,\u00a0travel instead across the border into Mexico to wait out the winter. The researchers from [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2017\/09\/monarch-butterflies-risk-extinction-pesticides-habitat-loss-blame\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/beyondpesticides\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/beyondpesticides\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-09-13T04:00:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2017-09-13T04:02:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/images-7.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Beyond Pesticides\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ByondPesticides\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ByondPesticides\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Beyond Pesticides\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2017\/09\/monarch-butterflies-risk-extinction-pesticides-habitat-loss-blame\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2017\/09\/monarch-butterflies-risk-extinction-pesticides-habitat-loss-blame\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Beyond Pesticides\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/#\/schema\/person\/1b5c0a0981b549cc5b628770073031f4\"},\"headline\":\"Monarch Butterflies at Risk of Extinction; 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By forging ties with governments, nonprofits, and people who rely on these natural resources, we reduce the need for unnecessary pesticide use and protect public health and the environment. Beyond Pesticides provides hands-on services to the public and supports local action by: identifying and interpreting hazards; and, designing safe pest management programs. With the information provided by Beyond Pesticides, people may not only be able to make informed choices and adopt practices that protect themselves and their families from unnecessary exposure to pesticides, but they will be able to effect changes on community-wide pest management decisions and policies that govern pesticide use, such as pesticide uses in parks, schools, for community insect control and along roadsides. 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The researchers do not know the exact cause but identify habitat loss and widespread pesticide use as likely culprits. Migratory monarchs in the west could disappear in the next few decades if steps are not taken to recover the population, the study\u2019s lead author, Cheryl Schultz, PhD, an associate professor at Washington State University Vancouver\u00a0states. &#8220;Western monarchs are faring worse than their eastern counterparts. In the 1980s, 10 million monarchs spent the winter in coastal California. Today there are barely 300,000,&#8221; she said. Western monarchs (Danaus plexippus)\u00a0have a spectacular migration. They overwinter in forested groves along coastal California, then lay their eggs on milkweed and drink nectar from flowers in the spring in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah. They then return to their coastal overwintering sites in the fall. Eastern monarch, whose numbers are also in decline,\u00a0travel instead across the border into Mexico to wait out the winter. 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