Scientists who have been analyzing data collected on monarch butterflies got a bit of good news recently. There were more of them wintering in Mexico than anticipated. Brice Semmens of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography says they’re not out of the woods by far. He says 85 percent of the monarch population has disappeared and could become extinct in the next ten to twenty years. Monarchs rely on milkweed to reproduce, and Semmens says we’ve gotten too good at eradicating weeds, which destroys their habitat. He says the Midwest plays a crucial role in whether the monarch survives or not.
| Monarchs can only reproduce or lay eggs on milkweed, and no other plant. Semmens says both the United States and Canadian governments have recognized the peril the iconic butterfly is in and are taking steps to protect it. Semmens says if everyone who cares about the monarch planted some milkweed it could save them
Many other species of insects use milkweed as their main food source. Common milkweed grows up to six feet tall. It has large, broad leaves, usually four to ten inches long. They sometimes have red veins. It’s often found on the side of the road or in ditches.
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