monarch butterflies

How do you protect a species that lives across a continent? Monarch butterfly decision may soon try

10:00am November 19, 2024

by Nathan Rott

The monarch butterfly is widely recognized and widely dispersed across North America and it's in trouble. Federal officials decide soon whether it gets protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Queue Listen Now

Three insect specimens are stored in a U.S. Geological Survey research lab in Kansas. They are part of the agency's Lepidoptera Research Collection. USGS is asking residents in six states to send in dead butterflies, moths and skippers so scientists can test them for contaminants.

Environment

Scientists want you to mail dead butterflies for research if you live in these states

10:47am August 04, 2023

by Ayana Archie

The USGS wants to test if butterflies and other insects are being hurt by contaminants, such as those in pesticides. It's seeking specimens from Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

The white spots on a monarch butterfly's wings may help it migrate, according to a new study.

Monarch butterflies' white spots may help them fly farther, scientists say

4:38pm June 21, 2023

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Monarch butterflies with more white spots on their mostly orange-and-black wings are more successful at long-distance migration. Some scientists think the spots may affect airflow around their wings.

Queue Listen Now

Millions of monarch butterflies arrive each year in Mexico after travelling, in some cases, thousands of miles from the United States and Canada.

What Happened To The Butterflies? Climate, Deforestation Threaten Monarch Migration

9:41am February 26, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

The population of monarch butterflies that migrated south to Mexico to hibernate fell 26% in 2020 compared with the previous year, according to a new report.

Environment

Triad Researchers Use Lasers To Count Dwindling Monarch Butterfly Populations

6:00am September 24, 2018

by David Ford

Monarch butterfly sightings are being reported across the Piedmont. It's one stop along the way in their journey from as far north as Canada to Mexico.

Queue Listen Now

Loveland, Colo., resident Mary Pullen (left) and her son Nick Balla plant milkweed near the Big Thompson River as part of a community campaign to restore milkweed in the area.

Can Planting More Milkweed Save Monarch Butterflies? It's Complicated

5:10pm May 31, 2016

by Luke Runyon

Conservationists have long blamed farmers' use of pesticides for decimating the milkweed that monarch caterpillars like to eat. But scientists say simply planting more milkweed isn't the answer.