Monarch Count in California
LEARN
The dedicated team of volunteer butterfly enthusiasts has been working hard counting our monarch butterflies overwintering on the California coast for the Xerces Society’s 27th and 28th annual Monarch Count that took place in November and January. Despite the chilly weather, volunteers spotted 233,394 butterflies across 256 hibernation spots on the California coastline in the early count. While this year’s count is a smidge lower than last year’s, it’s pretty close to our 2021 numbers. Dec-Jan counts reported a peak population of just 9,119 butterflies. This is the second lowest overwintering population ever recorded since tracking began in 1997 and coincides with monarch butterflies being proposed for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Our majestic monarch population is only around 5% of what it was in the 1980s.
GROW
Several factors have contributed to the decline in the Monarch Count, with one significant influence being the weather, particularly the occurrence of severe storms along the coast and the fires in Los Angeles. Additionally, predatory yellow jacket wasps at overwintering sites have posed a threat, and researchers are actively exploring control methods. Furthermore, pesticide usage has been a concern, with numerous reports of clusters of deceased monarchs found under unclear circumstances.
On January 25, 2024, volunteers came across a heartbreaking sight: numerous dead and dying monarch butterflies struggling on the lawn of a private property across from the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary in California. The USGS analysis indicated that the monarch butterflies had been subjected to a range of pesticides, including various insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. On average, each butterfly showed traces of seven different pesticides within their bodies. Alarmingly, three highly toxic pyrethroid insecticides were detected at or near-lethal levels. Pyrethroids are man-made insecticides designed to eliminate pests such as mosquitoes and fleas, commonly found in numerous household insecticide products. Considering the timing, location, and types of pesticides found, it is probable that the deaths of the monarchs resulted from pesticide application by a nearby resident or business. Source
Wings of Change encourages you to plant companion plants, reduce pesticides, and create a balanced, natural habitat. Butterflies indicate a healthy ecosystem and researchers have studied this for years.Â
CHANGE
Actions to increase the Monarch Count next year:
- Plant Natives: Show monarch butterflies some love by inviting them into your garden with native milkweed and nectar plants. Want to know how? Our blog is a treasure chest of tips. Get your green thumbs on live plants and seeds from Wings of Change. Don’t forget to check out local planting resource cards and some handy info from our friends at Xerces Org, Pollinator Partnership, and Calscape. Let’s get planting!
- Engage Locally: Join in or cheer on local efforts that protect our precious monarch butterflies and other vital pollinators. Rolling up your sleeves for local projects is a great start. Wings of Change is always on the lookout for helping hands. Think about joining the team and aiding in our mission to teach about pollinators and their homes.
- Safeguard Against Pesticides: For our precious monarch butterflies, let’s cut back on those heavy-duty bug and weed killers. Instead, let’s focus on crafting a harmonious habitat where we can all share space. Check out our blog for helpful tips. Remember, our goal is to gently guide pests elsewhere with nature’s tools, not wipe them out. Together, we can make a difference!
- Raise Awareness: Pour your love for monarch butterflies and pollinators into every conversation. Teach your loved ones and friends about these fluttering wonders facing extinction, and let’s transform the world one butterfly at a time. Rock your gear and let your style do the talking. For more fun facts and info, flutter over to our blog, Xerces’ and Butterfly Conservation Organization’s educational resources.
- Participate in Community Science: Join projects that monitor Western monarchs, such as the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper, Western Monarch Mystery Challenge, and the nationwide Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program. iNaturalist is an excellent platform for documenting observations of various organisms, including monarchs.
- Get involved in the wonderful world of butterflies with the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper and the Western Monarch Mystery Challenge. You can even take part in the nationwide Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program. iNaturalist is another great resource to record what you see – it’s great for monarchs and all sorts of other critters too!
For more information on how you can positively impact Western monarchs, refer to the Western Call to Action by Xerces Society. source
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