Mexico Hopes to See 3-4 Times More Monarch Butterflies

[Judi Lynn]

Mexico Hopes to See 3-4 Times More Monarch Butterflies
By mark stevenson, associated press
·PIEDRA HERRADA, Mexico — Nov 12, 2015, 4:28 PM ET

The number of monarch butterflies reaching their wintering grounds in central Mexico this year may be three to four times higher than the previous season, authorities said Thursday.

Speaking during a visit to a monarch reserve with U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, Mexican Environment Secretary Rafael Pacchiano said initial reports suggest the butterfly population is rebounding.

"We estimate that the butterfly population that arrives at the reserve is as much as three and could reach four times the surface area it occupied last season," Pacchiano said. He did not explain how the government made the calculation, but authorities conduct informal tracking of monarch butterflies as they enter Mexico from the United States.

The population of orange-and-black butterflies making the 3,400-mile (5,500-kilometer) migration from the United States and Canada declined in recent years before recovering slightly in 2014, when the insects covered about 2.79 acres (1.13 hectares) in the mountains west of Mexico City.

More:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/mexico-hopes-times-monarch-butterflies-35156224

[rogerashton]

1. We saw a lot of monarchs all summer

but other butterflies, not so much.

[Nictuku]

2. This makes me happy

I'm very glad to hear this. I haven't seen any this last year. It blows my mind that they travel as far as they do. That is just amazing.

[OnlinePoker]

3. What is more amazing is they only do the journey one way

The next generation makes the return trip. I've no idea how they do it, coming to the same area of Mexico every year. It's amazing.