Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Monarch Butterflies in decline as experts weigh the impact of proposed federal protections

Stock Up
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends listing Monarch Butterflies as a threatened species as the number of monarchs overwintering declines.

Every year, Monarch Butterflies migrate to warmer forested areas in Central Mexico and Coastal California to overwinter, so they can survive the colder inclement conditions.

But over the past few decades, the number of monarchs overwintering in Mexico has declined by as much as 80%, and monarchs overwintering in California has dropped by nearly 100%. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently recommended listing monarchs as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act in response, although advocates say that could make the situation worse.

Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry caught up this week with Michael Crossley – an Assistant Professor and Agricultural Entomologist at the University of Delaware who wrote about the issue – for more on why fewer Monarch Butterflies are overwintering and if federal protections could help or harm this iconic species.

UD Agricultural Entomologist Michael Crossley discusses the impact of federal protections for Monarch Butterflies with DPM's Joe Irizarry

Stay Connected
Joe brings over 20 years of experience in news and radio to Delaware Public Media and the All Things Considered host position. He joined DPM in November 2019 as a reporter and fill-in ATC host after six years as a reporter and anchor at commercial radio stations in New Castle and Sussex Counties.
Kyle McKinnon is the Senior Producer for The Green with a passion for storytelling and connecting with people.