Monarch Butterfly | UPSC
Decline in monarch butterfly population not because of migration: Study
WHY IN NEWS:
The decline in the population of Monarch butterflies — the most common ones found in North America — did not occur due to an increase in deaths during migration, showed a recent study.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Conservation of Biodiversity
For PRELIMS make notes on threats and lifecycle of this butterfly.
For MAINS how do pesticides or insecticides affect the population of butterflies ? How does this impact our food chain ?
- The monarch butterfly is one of the most recognizable and well studied butterflies on the planet.
- Its orange wings are laced with black lines and bordered with white dots.
- It is famous for their seasonal migration.
- The female monarch butterfly lays each of her eggs individually on the leaf of a milkweed plant, attaching it with a bit of glue she secretes.
- A female usually lays between 300 and 500 eggs over a two- to five-week period.
- After a few days, the eggs hatch into larvae, otherwise known as caterpillars .
- The caterpillars’ main job is to grow, so they spend most of their time eating.
- About a week or two later, they finish their metamorphosis and emerge as fully formed, black-and-orange, adult monarch butterflies.
- Threats to this abundant and popular butterfly species come from habitat loss and food plant destruction.
- Heavy use of chemical pesticides, and destruction of the Monarchs’ own place in the environment, have significantly reduced populations in some areas.
- Monarch sanctuaries protect the butterflies’ winter habitats and attract tourists, who help provide funding to support their efforts.
- Some, however, are at risk from human development and conflict.
- There are also many larger-scale efforts to protect habitat, better manage land for pollinators, replenish milkweed, raise awareness, and gather new scientific evidence to better understand monarchs.