monarch butterfly fighting for survival

The monarch butterfly, also called the milkweed butterfly, is one of the most recognizable and beloved insects in North America. Originally native to Mexico and the United States, monarchs have also been seen in other regions such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, and parts of Europe. 

Monarchs are named for their close connection to milkweed plants. Milkweed is essential to their life cycle—monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on it, and the adults rely on it for breeding. Because of this dependency, monarch populations are deeply affected by changes in milkweed availability.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the monarch is its migration. Each year, monarchs travel thousands of miles between breeding grounds in the United States and overwintering sites in Mexico or California. They cannot survive freezing temperatures

because their wing muscles become too cold to fly. If temperatures drop too low, they may fall and die. Because of this, monarchs rely on migration to reach climates where they can survive the winter.

Scientists continue to study monarch migration, and while the cold intolerance is one clear reason for their long journey, many factors may influence their patterns. Changes in climate, loss of habitat, and reduced availability of milkweed due to pesticides and land use changes are all pressures on the monarch’s life cycle.

In 2022, the monarch butterfly was listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to dramatic declines in population linked to habitat loss and climate change. By 2024, its status was revised to threatened, reflecting ongoing conservation efforts. As of early 2026, the final ESA decision is still pending and expected to be updated soon.

Once so abundant that millions filled fields and forests, monarch butterflies now number an estimated 8,000–9,000 migrating individuals as of 2025—a dramatic drop that highlights how seriously this species is struggling.

Despite these challenges, conservation efforts continue, and monarchs are fighting for a comeback.