Reports of declining insect populations have received widespread media attention, but evidence for declines has been variable across regions and taxonomic groups. Edwards et al. examined trends in the most surveyed taxon: butterflies (see the Perspective by Inouye). Combining data from 35 citizen science programs across the continental US, the authors found declines in overall butterfly abundance over the past 20 years across almost all major regions. Two-thirds of studied species showed declines of more than 10%.
Between 2000 and 2020, total butterfly abundance fell by 22% across the 554 recorded species. Species-level declines were widespread, with 13 times as many species declining as increasing.
Look at the Monarch butterfly, and the travel it does.
Migration and Overwintering
www.fs.usda.gov
... The annual migration of North America's monarch butterfly is a unique and amazing phenomenon. The monarch is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do. Unlike other butterflies that can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or even as adults in some species, monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates.
Using environmental cues, the monarchs know when it is time to travel south for the winter. Monarchs use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances.
Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home!
Where Do Monarchs Go?
Monarchs in Eastern North America have a second home in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. Monarchs in Western North America overwinter in California. ...
Wait, what????
The Monarch butterflies I see here in Connection travel to Mexico for the winter, and then back to Connecticut in the spring?
That butterfly flies 3000 miles?
Drudge Retort Headlines
Gavin Newsom Breaks with Dems on Trans Athletes in Sports (89 comments)
Women Are Divorcing Husbands over Trump (61 comments)
Trump Team Meets with Zelensky's Political Rivals (34 comments)
South Carolina Executes Death Row Inmate by Firing Squad (29 comments)
Thrust Into Unemployment, Axed Federal Workers Face Relatives who Celebrate Their Firing (26 comments)
Team Trump Cancels the Enola Gay (21 comments)
Should the Toronto Blue Jays Boycott the 2025 MLB Season? (21 comments)
Trump Voter Wrongly Detained by ICE Now Questions His Vote (20 comments)
DOJ Investigating Major Egg Producers (17 comments)
The One Question That Really Matters: If Trump Defies the Courts, Then What? (16 comments)