Monarch Watch Blog

NYTimes: In Midwest, Flutters May Be Far Fewer

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011 at 12:22 pm by Jim Lovett
Filed under Monarch Conservation | 5 Comments »

Today’s printed New York Times features “In Midwest, Flutters May Be Far Fewer” – an article by Andrew Pollack about monarch habitat loss and population decline. Monarch Watch Director Chip Taylor is quoted, along with other monarch researchers.

Many Monarch Watchers found this article online yesterday and commented about the featured photo – one of a Gulf Fritillary rather than a monarch. The photo has since been replaced with that of a monarch butterfly and the entire article is available online. Please take a moment to read it and then pass it on!

NYTimes.com: In Midwest, Flutters May Be Far Fewer

  1. 5 Responses to “NYTimes: In Midwest, Flutters May Be Far Fewer”

  2. By Nancy Thibodeau on Jul 13, 2011

    Charlestown New Hampshire
    Have not seen monarch butterflies in my monarch habitat.
    Very sad

  3. By maureen mulloy on Jul 22, 2011

    I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and have a Monarch Way Station in our back yard. Over the years, I’ve collected hundreds of eggs and “raised” them and let them go. It’s been a rewarding experience. Last year, we had large numbers of gypsy moth caterpillars on our oak trees, but I think the village had the area sprayed. Now there are no gypsy moth caterpillars but there are no Monarchs either. I’m not sure if it’s because of the spraying or just the decline in milkweed. But either way, I miss the butterflies!!! I only found 3 eggs this year 🙁

  4. By kerry couch on Aug 7, 2011

    I live in Mascoutah, IL, across the river from St. Louis, MO. I have noted a drastic reduction in Monarchs, and really all butterflies this summer on my farm.

    We have several large planted areas devoted to butterfly habitats including specific Monarch habitats. Last year, we had to drive VERY slowly up our driveway to allow the hundreds of butterflies to go unharmed. This year, we stop just to determine if there ARE any butterflies. Its unbelievable.

    Our farm is a horse farm, not a crop farm. We do not use any chemicals but instead use beneficial insects and provide a diverse habitat to encourage native wildlife and insects for natural control of pests.

    So, where are the butterflies this season???

    At least the bats have returned and we continue to have a diverse population of birds and other wildlife.

  5. By Chris Parisi on Aug 28, 2011

    Here is Florida we are experiencing the same thing. Very few monarchs all summer, plenty of queens, viceroy, julia and fritillaries.

  6. By joan anderson on Sep 19, 2011

    I raise Monarch butterflies as well and have noticed a small decline myself. I see a lot of Gulf Fritillaries, Swallowtais and moths but not as many Monarch. It may be the time of the year with them migrating and all. I don’t know. All I know that rearing Monarch butterflies is a wonderful and rewarding hobby. I just recently received my Monarch Waystaion yard sign. I am so happy to display it in my yard for all my neighbors to see.

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