Stunning New National Study Reveals America’s Butterflies Facing Catastrophic Decline – What You Need to Know!

By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer

Butterflies in America are facing a steep decline. A recent study reveals that their population has dropped by 22% since the year 2000. This decline is mainly due to insecticides, climate change, and loss of habitat.

This study is the first of its kind. It looks at butterfly populations across the contiguous United States. Researchers found that, on average, butterfly numbers have decreased by 1.3% each year since 2000. Among the 114 species studied, most showed significant declines, while only nine species increased in number.

According to Nick Haddad, an entomologist at Michigan State University and co-author of the study, the decline isn’t slowing down. “Butterflies have been declining for the last 20 years, and we don’t see any sign that that’s going to change,” he said.

The research team analyzed over 76,000 surveys collected from 35 monitoring programs to count about 12.6 million butterflies. Notably, monarch butterflies, which might soon be listed as an endangered species, dropped to nearly an all-time low of fewer than 10,000 this year. In contrast, there were about 1.2 million monarchs counted in 1997.

This decline is severe; some species, like the red admiral and the American lady butterfly, declined by more than 40%. Even invasive species like the white cabbage butterfly fell by 50%, leaving researchers puzzled.

David Wagner, an entomologist at the University of Connecticut, expressed concern. He described the ongoing decline as “catastrophic and saddening.” He noted that over a few decades, we could lose half the butterflies and other insect life in North America. The study’s lead author, Collin Edwards, pointed out that the U.S. has 650 butterfly species, yet many are so rare that they couldn’t be included in the analysis.

Butterflies are essential not just for beauty but as pollinators. They play a role in the pollination of crops like cotton. However, the study highlights a warning to humans, too. Anurag Agrawal, a butterfly expert at Cornell University, emphasized that the decline in butterfly populations signals wider ecosystem health issues.

The Southwest regions, including Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, have faced the most significant drops, with populations slashed in half over two decades. Edwards explains that the butterflies in hotter, drier regions struggled the most, while those in cooler areas fared better.

Insecticides are believed to be the biggest threat among factors like climate change and habitat loss. Haddad noted that insecticide use has changed dramatically since the start of the study, contributing to the decline in butterfly populations. However, there is hope. With restoration efforts, butterfly habitats can be revived.

Making small changes in backyards and communities can have a positive impact, according to experts. It’s a reminder that butterflies are not only beautiful creatures but also vital indicators of the health of our environment.

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