cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/16030907
over the next 60 years, North American monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains have a 56 to 74 percent probability of hitting the point where extinction appears inevitable. For those to the west, that probability was 99 percent.
The primary drivers affecting the butterflies, the assessment found, were the loss and degradation of breeding, migratory and overwintering habitat; exposure to insecticides; and the effects of climate change.
Had this one come off a milkweed watering yesterday.
That’s very late in the season for most places in the US; almost all the monarchs are in diapause at their wintering grounds now. There are a few places where cultivated milkweed has created year-round populations. I’m guessing that you’re at one of those.
I’ll give you a hint. It had just emerged from its cocoon.