Metamorphosis by Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel
Original Soundscape by Charlene Lanzel and Barrett Cobb (flute & vocals)
On July 21st, 2022 the migratory Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) was added to the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, as Endangered. Monarchs are threatened by pesticides and herbicides, as well as urban development, deforestation and climate change, which are killing off the native milkweed plants that monarch larvae need to survive. The western population is at greatest risk, having declined by about 99.9% since the 1980’s.
In North America, millions of monarchs tackle the longest migration of any insect species. After wintering in Mexico they head north, breeding along the way. Their offspring reach southern Canada, where they then begin the long trip back to Mexico at summer’s end.
Humans are largely to blame for the monarch’s decline. People have been coming together to protect this butterfly and its habitat. Unfortunately, well-intentioned gardeners are putting more stress on declining monarch populations by planting the wrong species of milkweed, the plant that monarchs lay their eggs on. Many gardeners are planting an exotic tropical species that grows year-round, when they should actually be planting the native species (Asclepias incarnata) that dies off each season. This causes monarchs to forgo migration, and that is a very big problem for the species.
Save The Monarchs!