Africans aren’t the only ones who want to protect butterflies. 

A U.S. federal agency says it’s time to add monarch butterflies to the threatened species list. The listing would forbid anyone from killing the black-and-orange, migrating insects.  

What do monarch caterpillars need to eat? Milkweed! People would not be allowed to make changes to their land that would make it hard for this nourishing plant to grow.  

Monarchs live in every U.S. state except Alaska—plus Canada, Mexico, and Central America. They travel south in autumn. Most spend winter in Mexico and California. But their numbers have fallen over the past 40 years.  

Listing monarchs as threatened would protect the trees near the California coast where western monarchs stop. Land in Mexico where eastern monarchs wait out the cold is already protected. 

What harms monarchs? People move into their habitats. There’s less plant life that monarchs need. A single-celled parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) can deform their wings and make them smaller. Insects with the parasite can’t fly as far. Cars sometimes strike monarchs. Insecticides can damage milkweed and butterflies.  

How To Help 

Plant milkweed and raise monarchs at home. Collect up to 10 caterpillars or eggs locally from the wild. Never buy or ship monarchs.  

Raise each in its own container. Clean the containers with a 20% bleach solution. That prevents disease and mold. Place containers out of direct sunlight. Provide a moist (not wet) paper towel or sponge.  

Add fresh native milkweed daily. (Tropical milkweed has a longer flowering time. The OE parasite spores can build up on its leaves.) Provide a few twigs or stems for each caterpillar to attach its chrysalis to. Wait and watch! 

Release monarchs where they were collected. Watch them take flight at the right time of year for your area!