{"id":2702,"date":"2013-08-19T10:08:45","date_gmt":"2013-08-19T14:08:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=2702"},"modified":"2013-08-20T08:48:56","modified_gmt":"2013-08-20T12:48:56","slug":"the-mystery-of-the-missing-monarchs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-mystery-of-the-missing-monarchs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mystery of the Missing Monarchs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Monarch\"You may have seen the story in the\u00a0Boston Globe<\/a><\/strong> on August 13\u00a0about how monarch butterflies have been hard to find at Mass Audubon\u2019s Boston Nature Center<\/a><\/strong>. Monarchs may be our most popular and well-known insects, and this is the time of year when we should be seeing their familiar orange and black wings over gardens. But observers all across the state say they\u2019re spotting very few of them.<\/p>\n

Is this a sign that monarchs everywhere are in trouble? And if so, why? The answers to these questions aren\u2019t as simple as you may think.<\/p>\n

A Closer Look at Monarch Numbers
\n<\/strong>The number of monarch butterflies in Massachusetts fluctuates from year to year, and when the insects are scant here, they may be numerous elsewhere. We have to be careful about using our local sightings to talk about the overall health of the species.<\/p>\n

However, we do know that observers in nearby areas, such as eastern Canada, Vermont, and New Jersey, are also reporting low monarch numbers this year\u2014what we\u2019re observing here may be part of a larger pattern.<\/p>\n

Perhaps most alarmingly, the monarch population hit a record low at its overwintering sites in Mexico, down 59 percent from the previous year\u2019s December count\u2014and researchers have documented declines there in six out of the past seven years.<\/p>\n

Threats to Monarchs
\n<\/strong>There are many reasons why monarch numbers may be dropping. Because they travel over such a wide area and spend time in different habitats, they\u2019re vulnerable to environmental change all along their route. Here are some issues:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Habitat destruction in Mexico, where monarchs winter, has historically represented a major threat.<\/li>\n
  2. They\u2019re sensitive to extreme weather; they don\u2019t do well if it\u2019s too hot or too cold, too dry or too wet.<\/li>\n
  3. Monarchs are very specialized\u2014they only lay eggs on milkweed. These plants have declined in the central and mid-western states\u2019 expansive corn and soybean fields due to changes in farming practices, such as new developments in herbicides.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Learn More
    \n<\/strong>Consider participating in one of our     upcoming programs<\/a><\/strong> about monarchs and other butterflies. We\u2019ve got butterfly walks for both kids and adults, where you\u2019ll learn about their life histories and favorite plants, and hopefully glimpse some monarchs.<\/p>\n

    You can also participate in research programs at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in Topsfield, Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in South Dartmouth, and Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in Princeton. You’ll learn how to “tag” monarch butterflies, applying tiny stickers to their wings as part of a continent-wide research effort to track their travels.<\/p>\n

    Have you seen any monarch butterflies this year? If so, tell us where and when in the comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    You may have seen the story in the\u00a0Boston Globe on August 13\u00a0about how monarch butterflies have been hard to find at Mass Audubon\u2019s Boston Nature Center. Monarchs may be our most popular and well-known insects, and this is the time of year when we should be seeing their familiar orange and black wings over gardens. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nature-notes"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-HA","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3739,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/monitoring-the-monarch-situation\/","url_meta":{"origin":2702,"position":0},"title":"Monitoring the Monarch Situation","author":"Rosemary","date":"July 21, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The Case of the Missing Monarchs, which we reported on last summer, continues. For the second year in a row, observers are noting very few of these beloved bright orange fixtures of summer. Their absence brings up a lot of questions, many of which cannot yet be answered conclusively. What\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/07\/infographic_monarch.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9758,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-good-year-for-monarchs\/","url_meta":{"origin":2702,"position":1},"title":"A Good Year for Monarchs?","author":"Hillary T.","date":"September 12, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"During the last week of August, Regional Scientist Robert Buchsbaum and several Mass Audubon naturalists and scientists took a field trip to Conway Hills Wildlife Sanctuary just west of the Connecticut River in Conway, MA. While there, they were pleasantly surprised by what they saw. Here's Robert's report: --- The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/09\/monarch600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/09\/monarch600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/09\/monarch600.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6010,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-marvelous-monarchs\/","url_meta":{"origin":2702,"position":2},"title":"Take 5: Marvelous Monarchs","author":"Rosemary","date":"August 17, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Monarch butterflies are visiting gardens and other open spaces. In recent years, scientists have been concerned about this species' populations; read more about this issue and get monarch-wise with our Quick Guide. Here are five monarch portraits from past editions of our Photo Contest. Do you have a beautiful shot\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/08\/Will-Katcher-2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/08\/Will-Katcher-2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/08\/Will-Katcher-2012.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2727,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/three-animal-lookalikes\/","url_meta":{"origin":2702,"position":3},"title":"Three Animal Lookalikes","author":"Rosemary","date":"August 28, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Some animal species look very similar to each other. Here are some tips for distinguishing a few of the trickier lookalikes you\u2019ll find at our wildlife sanctuaries. Monarch vs Viceroy Everybody\u2019s on the lookout for monarchs lately, but don\u2019t be fooled by the viceroy. This black and orange butterfly looks\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/08\/woodpeckers.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8745,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/in-your-words-butterfly-garden-team\/","url_meta":{"origin":2702,"position":4},"title":"In Your Words: Butterfly Garden Team","author":"Ryan D.","date":"March 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"In Your Words is a regular feature of Mass Audubon\u2019s\u00a0Explore member newsletter. Each issue, a Mass Audubon member, volunteer, staff member, or supporter shares his or her story\u2014why Mass Audubon and protecting the nature of Massachusetts matters to them. The Butterfly Garden Team began in 2012 with the mission of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "In Your Words"","block_context":{"text":"In Your Words","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/in-your-words\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Butterfly Garden at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Stony-Brook_Butterfly-Garden.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Stony-Brook_Butterfly-Garden.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Stony-Brook_Butterfly-Garden.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16367,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-munchin-on-milkweed\/","url_meta":{"origin":2702,"position":5},"title":"Take 5: Munchin’ On Milkweed","author":"Ryan D.","date":"September 20, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"It's well-known that Monarch caterpillars (the larval form of Monarch butterflies) rely on plants in the milkweed family as their sole source of food. But milkweeds actually support many different insects, in addition to Monarchs. Most notably, this includes two insects in the seed bug family\u2014large milkweed bugs and small\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Red Milkweed Beetle on Common Milkweed \u00a9 Jenny Schule","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/09\/6637Jenny_Schule34218-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/09\/6637Jenny_Schule34218-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/09\/6637Jenny_Schule34218-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/09\/6637Jenny_Schule34218-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2702"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2714,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2702\/revisions\/2714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}