Monarch Butterfly Numbers Plunge to Historic Low on US West Coast

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The number of monarch butterflies wintering along the western U.S. coast has fallen dramatically to just 9,119 in 2024, a staggering 96% decrease from 233,394 in 2023, marking the second-lowest count in nearly three decades, according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The group, which has monitored butterfly populations for 28 years, reported this concerning trend amid ongoing threats from pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change.

Monarchs are iconic pollinators known for their vibrant orange-and-black wings and two distinct migration patterns in North America. The eastern population migrates to Mexico, while the western group overwinter primarily in California and parts of Arizona. Emma Pelton, an endangered species biologist, indicated that extreme heat conditions last summer, with temperatures surging above 100°F, likely hindered breeding. A heatwave in July even pushed Palm Springs to a record 124°F.

In response to the declining numbers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans to consider listing monarchs as a threatened species, which could provide legal protections for their habitats. The public comment period for this move ends in March 2025.

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