Monarch Butterfly Decline, Essay Example

The monarch butterfly decline became a concerned in 1993 after the monarch butterflies slowly stop migrating to Mexico and Canada at the very alarming lowest rates as reported by World Wildlife Fund(Stevenson,2014). In a study by Tangley (2015) found that monarch butterfly population has decreased by 80% over the last 20 years and over 90% decrease since the 1990s. The migration of these monarch butterflies has been declining over the last three decades however, the species continued to migrate but numbers were decreasing. The scientist called the decline of the monarch butterfly a natural occurrence that was dismissed based on the hotter weather that was drying out the milkweed plants. The milkweed is the nourishment the monarch butterfly needs to make trips that are thousands of miles away. The incredible journey from the North American monarch butterflies have endured travels up to 3,000 miles round trip which is one the grandest natural feats on Earth(Stevenson,2014). The scientist are still baffled how the monarch butterflies that have never seen the winter migration habitat yet they still find their way.

The primary reason for the monarch butterfly declining for three reasons:(1) because of the genetically lethal pesticide sprays are killing the food plant called milkweed (2) lack of migration from United States to Canada which is inherited trait that in danger (3) the reduction and disappearance of the butterflies’ environment in Mexico due to the destruction of the shelter in the trees (Stevenson, 2014). The combination pesticide, lack of migration and destruction of the trees are the three major reasons the monarch butterflies are about to become extinct.

Lack of Migration

The lack of migration is an important issue because the decline of the monarch butterflies may reach a point in the future that will ensure extinctions regardless of the solutions. The life of the monarch butterflies depends on the ability to migrate for survival. The monarch butterfly species has an inborn ability to live in north and migrate south to warmer climates like birds. The yearly migration reaches as far north to Canada and south Mexico City during the winter months (Slager & Malcolm, 2015). The monarch butterflies are one of the worlds natural phenomenon’s because they can migrate thousands of miles to reproduce during their short lives (National Wildlife Federation, 2015). One the most awaiting events in norther Mexico City is the sight of the monarch butterflies migrating across the border while streaming into northern Mexico. In Texas, the monarch’s butterflies creating a beautiful sky filled with monarch butterflies for about two weeks before they move on (Howard, 2015).  It is estimated that the monarch butterflies migrate from Texas to Mexico at the rate of over 10,000 monarchs per hour, which is named Peak Migration Day in Mexico (Brower, 2015). In a study by Clarke (2014) found that over 1 million monarch butterflies has been counted from 1997 to 2012 however, by 2012 the population of monarch butterflies has dropped by approximately 144,000 representing a 12% decrease.

Genetically Made Pesticide

The farming industry use of GMO is important because it is damaging the eco system and scientist are starting to look at the possible long term damages to the humans DNA that eat the corn crops(Shelby,2013). The farming industry found a way to protect their crops from damage by using a pesticide named GMO that has been genetically made to kill insects. The primary food that feeds the entire population of the monarch butterflies is milkweed. The milkweed is about 3 feet tall that blooms in the summer that comes in various shades of color pink. The monarch butterflies depend on the nectar of the milkweed for nourishment and a major food source that keeps the caterpillar’s alive (Florida Gardner, 2008).  The monarchs’ butterflies decline status has been correlated with the farming industry using of GMO herbicides that are filled with a deadly ingredients glyphosate herbicide which kills milkweed. The Midwest has the highest concentration of using GMO on crops which is the monarch butterflies are disappearing in that region. This is important because farming industry continue use GMO pesticide will continue to push the monarch butterflies to the brink of extinction by damaging the milkweed. The monarch butterflies depend on the milkweed plant that given them the endurance to migrate, however, the genetically made herbicides that are sprayed on the crops is killing the milkweed. In addition, over 24 million acres of crops have been sprayed on corn and soybean crops that contribute to the continue depletion of milkweed (Tangley, 2015).

Destruction of Trees

This is an important issues because the monarch butterflies are left unprotected in the forests trees during the cold or freezing weather. The small-scale logging does so much damaged that the thousands of monarch butterflies either die from exposure or the weather is too cold for them to migrate so they all end their incomplete cycle life (Klonoski, 2013). There are many species in the world that have died because their habit has been destroyed such as the black and white Panda because of the habitat they lived was destroyed. The monarch butterflies fit into that category of species that may be heading into extinction.  According to Tangley (2015) found that the conservationists, environmentalist and the scientists have confirmed that the monarchs habit in the Mexican forests are being destroyed and depleting the population. The illegal logging that is destroying the habitat of the monarch butterflies.

The logging industry has shown no remorse or no signs of slowing down destroying the homes of the monarch butterflies. The loggers are guilty of deforestation which is the severe degradation of the forest habitat which is the home of the monarch butterflies.

The Mexican government has taken strict stances and oversight of those that are destroying the forest, however, the illegal loggers account for damaged to 1110 acres (Earth Observatory, 2008). The primary problem for the Mexican government is the commercial loggers can be track, punished and fined for destroying the land. However, the crux of the problem is those small-scale deforestation by families that are trying to survive by selling the wood.

Natural History

The natural history of the monarch butterfly has many years of life that have been documented by scientists and historians. According to Brower (2015), the history of monarch have a long history that date back over several million years ago as they natural evolution of milkweeds diversified the monarch butterflies in North America. In addition, as the cross the Mexico border they have grown to approximately 108 different butterflies specifies. The monarch butterfly scientific name is “Danaus plexippus” who are known as the king of North American butterflies that tend to live new open meadows or areas filled with milkweed plant (Insect Identification, 2015). The monarchs are migratory whose origin is from the northern region of the mainland in the summer and naturally fly south seeking warmer weather during the winter. The native range of the monarch butterfly is in the United States to Hawaii however, they live east of the Rocky Mountains, Texas in the south, and Canada as sprint turns to summer (National Wildlife Federation, 2015).

The ecological implication are the GMO is damaging the milkweeds ability to create the larvae that the monarch butterfly relies on for nourishment and life. This problem does not allow the monarch butterfly to grow their numbers thus the migrations numbers become less and less. The monarch butterflies are major pollinators to the eco systems that have other plants life that depend on that pollination much like the bumble bees.

Conclusion

The research and references provide a clear link concerning three major causes that contribute to the monarch butterflies decline. The GMO pesticide has been proven to be lethal to the monarch butterflies and possible damaging human DNA, the lack of migration because the weather changes and milkweed being destroy which is the major food for the caterpillars and the reduction and disappearance of the butterflies’ environment in Mexico due to the destruction of the shelter in the trees. The hypothesis has been proven to correct that the three major causes will contribute to the extinction of the monarch butterflies in urgent steps are not taken soon.

Works Cited

Brower, L. P. (2015). The Remarkable Monarch. Natural History, Vol. 123 Issue 6, p26-29

Earth Observatory. (2008). Monarch butterflies Mexican Home. Retrieved from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=6028

Florida Gardner. (2008).Milkweed Butterfly weed. Retrieved from http://www.floridagardener.com/FLNatives/Milkweeds.htm

Insect Identification. (2014).The king of the North America Butterflies is monarch butterflies. It reigns over the entire continent and has even moved to Hawaii. Retrieved from http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Monarch-butterfly

Klonoski, B. (2013).Is illegal logging killing monarch butterflies in Mexico? Retrieved from http://www.ryot.org/is-illegal-logging-killing-monarch-butterflies-in-mexico/363797

National Wildlife Federation. Declining Monarch Butterfly finds hope for recovery in St. Louis Monarch Butterflies. Retrieved from http://blog.nwf.org/2015/09/declining-monarch-butterfly-finds-hope-for-recovery-in-st-louis/

Shelby, G. (2013).How GMO food damages Human DNA. Retrieved from http://www.ecopedia.com/health/how-gmo-damage-human-dna/

Slager, B. H., & Malcolm, S. B. (2015). Evidence for Partial Migration in the Southern Monarch Butterfly, Danaus euripus, in Bolivia and Argentina. Biotropica, (3), 355. doi:10.1111/btp.12206/abstract

Stevenson. M (Jan, 2014).Monarch butterflies decline: migration may disappear. USA Associated Press. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/01/29/monarch-butterflies-decline/5028977/

Tangley, L. (2015). Battle for Butterflies. Cover story. National Wildlife (World Edition). 2015 Special Edition Issue, Vol. 53, p22-28.