Monarch Butterflies

Regardless of how the butterflies fare this year, the long-term prospects for the migration seem to be dimming. Habitat loss, insecticide use and extreme weather all pose deadly threats to the species.

Climate change, habitat loss and pesticides have all wreaked havoc on monarch butterfly populations.

While it’s common for insect populations to fluctuate, a monarch butterfly expert says multiple years of decline are worrying.

Fewer butterflies have made the migration to Mexico this year, and they seem in less of a hurry to do so. Researchers believe climate change is contributing to the disruptions.

The annual butterfly migration is underway. For decades scientists have relied on volunteers to tag butterflies to provide details about their journey.

Monarchs need lots of nectar and water to help them survive their journey south but because it's been so dry, they’re having trouble finding food.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is determining whether to list the species as threatened or endangered. The listing would bring new regulatory protections to the species and its habitat. Depending on how the protections are written, however, listing could also complicate local monarch protection and propagation efforts.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature added the migrating monarch butterfly for to its "red list" of threatened species and categorized it as "endangered" — two steps from extinct.

The annual winter monarch butterfly migration, which has seen steep declines in recent years, seems to be making a comeback. Biologists are encouraged and confused by the trend.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said other species are "higher priority" for listing as threatened or endangered.