A&M research: Monarch butterfly population may hit historic low

[TexasTowelie]

The number of monarch butterflies in Texas could be at a historic low this year, according to a Texas A&M researcher and butterfly enthusiast.

The colorful insects spend the winter months in Mexico, but reports from the Mexican government show their numbers are significantly down this year -- consistent with a trend for most of the past decade, said Craig Wilson, a senior research associate in the Center for Mathematics and Science Education.

This year, monarchs face a lingering drought, unusually cold winter temperatures and a severe lack of milkweed, which is their primary food source, Wilson said. Dozens of wildfires in the past few years have hindered the growth of milkweed, the only type of plant the Monarch caterpillars will digest as the migration heads north.

"The conditions have been dry both here and in Mexico in recent years," Wilson said. "It takes four generations of the insects to make it all of the way up to Canada, and because of lack of milkweed along the way, a lot of them just don't make it."

More at http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_fa28b19b-b824-518f-91f3-95452f98f553.html .

[font color=green]I remember that monarch butterflies, fireflies and horned toads were a common sight to be seen in my youth. It shows what damage has occurred to the ecology--mostly by humans.[/font]

[pipoman]

1. Every spring we went out and looked at milk weeds

For monarch caterpillars. We had a large terrarium where we watched the caterpillars go through the stages, then release them when they emerged from their chrysalis often on Easter or a day or two either way. It was great fun and a great learning experience.