America Lost 22% of Its Butterflies Within Two Decades (cbsnews.com)
- Reference: 0176648181
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/03/08/0523212/america-lost-22-of-its-butterflies-within-two-decades
- Source link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/butterfly-populations-declining-us-science-study/
> A comprehensive [2]study , published Thursday in the journal Science , found that 22% of butterflies in the United States disappeared between 2000 and 2020... The researchers behind the Science study used data from more than 12.6 million butterflies spanning 342 individual species, drawing from 76,000 surveys across 35 nationwide monitoring programs. Funded by the U.S. Geological Survey, the study was the first to integrate such a vast dataset, its authors said.
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> The findings revealed that 33% of butterfly species have experienced significant population declines over the past two decades, with 107 out of the 342 species examined losing more than half of their population — including 22 species that declined by more than 90%. Meanwhile, only 3% of species showed population increases...
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> Ultimately, the butterfly decline is part of a larger global trend of insect population loss, with insects declining by about 1-2% annually, the study's authors said. Butterflies play an essential role in ecosystems, pollinating flowers, crops, and other plants. Their decline could have far-reaching impacts on plant reproduction and the health of ecosystems.
Just [3]three months ago the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said America's western migratory populations of monarch butterflies had declined by more than 95% since the 1980s, putting them "at greater than 99% chance of extinction by 2080." (America's eastern migratory population were estimated to have declined by approximately 80%.)
This latest study found that one factor is climate change, according to CBS News, which reduces food sources, disrupts breeding cycles and increases habitat stress. (Another factor is pesticide use, which fortunately can be adjusted with various policy interventions and farming practices.)
And one of the study's co-authors tells CBS News that "the things we do in our own backyards actually make a difference." They recommend allowing backyard to "grow wild" with native plants (and reducing pesticide use) — even creating "habitat spaces" for insects like small piles of brush. "Even simple actions — like leaving a strip of wildflowers or planting species that support pollinators — can provide crucial resources for butterflies and other insects."
[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/butterfly-populations-declining-us-science-study/
[2] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp4671
[3] https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2024-12/monarch-butterfly-proposed-endangered-species-act-protection
Re: (Score:1)
> Eco agit prop
Here's some more sweetness for you to enjoy
either plant flowers or let weeds grow-who cares? (Score:2, Troll)
> Eco agit prop
Why are you offended people are asking you to plant flowers or let some of your yard go wild? Who gives a shit? If you're lazy, just don't mow a spot. If you're a cunt who demands a meticulous lawn, plants some flowers. There are tons of no/low-maintenance perennials that look good and are a feast for butterflies.
Stop the anti-science contrarian bullshit...or is this a conspiracy from "big home improvement" to get you to plant some shit? You get some pretty flowers and pretty butterflies.
For the
Re: (Score:3)
> Why are you offended people are asking you to plant flowers or let some of your yard go wild? Who gives a shit?
It could be a problem in neighborhoods with a nosey HOA. In some communities you're obligated to maintain your yard to a specific standard whether you like it or not. Plus, a lot of people who don't have the time to deal with keeping up with yard work will hire a company to do it for them. Good luck getting the lawn company's workers to remember that you actually want part of your yard to be a sanctuary for bugs.
Personally, I live in one of those neighborhoods with an obnoxious HOA, for lack of other aff
Re: (Score:1)
milkweed can grow pretty well in a pot and its got the name "weed" in it for a reason, they're actually pretty hardy with a moderately deep pot and some sandy soil
i only have 3 plants and i have "raised" half a dozen generations of monarchs at this point, probably about 50-60 individuals.
if anyone has even just a sunny patio give it a try, it's like a middle school science experiment
Flowers are an option (Score:2)
> It could be a problem in neighborhoods with a nosey HOA. In some communities you're obligated to maintain your yard to a specific standard whether you like it or not. Plus, a lot of people who don't have the time to deal with keeping up with yard work will hire a company to do it for them. Good luck getting the lawn company's workers to remember that you actually want part of your yard to be a sanctuary for bugs.
> Personally, I live in one of those neighborhoods with an obnoxious HOA, for lack of other affordable options. Can't do anything except thoughts and prayers for the declining butterfly population.
All HOAs allow flowers and there are dozens of popular varieties for even the shittiest climates that are "set and forget". While they require cold-strafing butterfly flowers, or milkweed, produce some very beautiful flowers and in most climates are low-maintenance perennials. Hydrangeas are also popular. Marigolds and morning glories are annuals, but weeds as well. My cold city is not a great climate for butterflies, but we've gotten quite a few..as well as bumble bees in a very tiny flowergarden with
Re: (Score:2)
In most HOA's you can grow most anything you want in your fenced backyard as long as it isn't a visible eyesore from the street. And even in the front yard you can have a flowerbed of butterfly-friendly plants, might require approval.
Re: (Score:2)
[1]https://www.nrdc.org/bio/danie... [nrdc.org]
[1] https://www.nrdc.org/bio/daniel-raichel/no-bees-are-not-okay
Re: (Score:2)
Even if it's true that today, in 2025 the bees are doing better does not mean a crisis never existed?
By that logic the ozone hole was just "eco agit prop" since it's not there now. Oh the past 3 decades where the entire world agreed to take measure to help mitigate it? "Black hole in time my friends, nothing happened there therefore because i need to propagandize and that's inconvenient"
Maybe if the bees are doing better it could be because the crisis pushed people to improve practices and undergo more con
Re: (Score:2)
> By that logic the ozone hole was just "eco agit prop" since it's not there now.
Actually it is there now, and has likely been a thing for a long, long time. How much is natural and how much is man-made is debateable, but I think it is understood now that at least part of it is the former.
[1]https://www.dw.com/en/large-oz... [dw.com]
[1] https://www.dw.com/en/large-ozone-hole-detected-over-antarctica/a-67019103
Re: Just like the Honey Bee problem (Score:1)
How are you posting from 1965?!
Maybe ... (Score:1)
They're just resting. :-)
Can't let the yard go wild. (Score:1)
There are guidelines on how much (potentially, while it's still alive, and actually after it dies) flammable material you are supposed to have around your house here in the western half of the country -- and that basically is "none". Sorry, what they're asking for is in direct contradiction to what the fire services are (rightfully) demanding of us. Most of us in the suburbs simply can't set up a wildlife sanctuary in our yards. A large part of the habitat loss is probably down to us changing our surroundin
The problem is real, but (Score:2)
The proposed solution is stupid. 5 percent of the US is developed. What you do in your backyard is basically meaningless. The real action is happening on the other 95% of the environment.
[1]https://agracel.com/113-just-h... [agracel.com]
I consider myself an environmentalist, but green types are prone to exhibiting this type of childish, naive thinking. They desperately want to make a difference, so they look for “things I can do to help”. Put up a flowerbed to help the butterflies. Buy an efficient car t
[1] https://agracel.com/113-just-how-much-of-america-is-developed/
So I think most of us are old enough (Score:3)
To remember cleaning bugs off your windshield. Ask yourself when was the last time you had to do that? Probably been a while right?
These are things you're not really supposed to think about. Go back to sleep. Isn't the new Ford SUV amazing?
Milkweed (Score:2)
Over the past couple of years at least, I've noticed our local Extension office (part of the state's Agriculture department) asking people to collect milkweed pods (and thus seeds) because monarch butterflies pupate on milkweed plants. As someone who grew up in rural America, it seemed like in the 70s farmers would have loved to kill all milkweed, so that's a bit of a change for them.
So (Score:1)
Who's going to deflect that hurricane now?