Insects

Extreme fires across the west are becoming more frequent, more severe, and more extensive, as climate change and decades of fire suppression create the perfect conditions for these disasters. Extreme fires are an ever-increasing threat to human infrastructure and ecosystems across the west. However, it is important to recognize that these disasters are different from the fires that used to occur in western forests.

The number of monarchs overwintering in central Mexico increased from last year’s low, according to the annual census released today by World Wildlife Fund-Mexico and partners. The butterflies were found covering an area of 4.42 acres, which means the eastern monarch population that migrates between Canada and Mexico each year shows an improvement from last year, which was the second worst year ever recorded at 2.22 acres. The annual survey measures the area of forest in which monarch butterflies hibernate each winter, providing a reliable indicator of the eastern monarch’s population status.

A new study published today in Science has found that populations of butterflies across the United States are declining. In addition to dramatic declines for individual species, the study concluded that total abundance of butterflies has declined by 22% from 2000 to 2020. That means that for every five butterflies seen 20 years ago, now there are only four.