According to data from Mexico, the number of Monarch butterflies spending their winter at a resting ground in Mexico has decreased by 53% compared to last year.
The news as sparked alarm among butterfly conservation circles, however, Jorge Rickards, head of WWF Mexico, says the drop “is not alarming.” Rickards’ points out that last years’ numbers were unusually high and this year they have returned to normal.
It is believed that a colder than normal winter in Texas in 2019 resulted in lower breeding levels among Monarch butterflies, which could account for some of the drop in numbers at their winter resting spot in Mexico.
Other problems facing the Monarch in Mexico include illegal logging, which is destroying their habitat, climate change, and the use of pesticides.
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