January 2016 the Plight of the Monarch Conservation Legacy

Home , Monarch butterfly, Queen (butterfly)

CONSERVATION LEGACY MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Plight of the Monarch Article and Photos by CLINTON FAAS

(Writer's note: TWA’s Conservation Initiatives promote landscape-level conservation of habitat and species as well as address current issues affecting landowners in Texas. Through monitoring and working with state, federal and non-governmental organizations, TWA aims to provide relevant and up-to-date information for its members regarding these topics. The Monarch Butterfly represents one such topic that allows land managers to come together with many focus groups to reach a common conservation goal in the management of a declining species.)

t’s an iconic species — one that doesn’t require a background in entomology to identify. The orange andI black wing pattern is easily recognizable to anyone that has ever watched a butterfly flutter past. Although there are imitators, the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is one of the most well known butterflies in the United States. It brings back a sense of nostalgia for many of us: thoughts of insect collections as a kid and mason jars with holes poked in the metal lids, the coming of fall and the arrival of spring and, even if unknowingly, a connection to wildlife in a busy, urbanized world. But where have they gone? And, some may ask, “Why does it even matter?” As recently as the 1990s, an estimated one billion monarchs made the migration south, through Texas and into Mexico. A 2013 count revealed that the long-term average number may have declined up to 90 percent in the last 20 years, leaving the total United States population at around The iconic Monarch butterfly is easily recognizable with its black and orange wing pattern. 33 million. Several factors have been attributed to this decline. In the northern complete metamorphosis consisting of four complexity of this life cycle comes in the United States, a significant decrease in stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult. lifespan and timing of events. Migrating milkweed abundance, due to modern This process takes approximately 30 days to monarchs live all winter, approximately six agricultural practices, may be a limiting complete. to nine months. The last adult generation factor. While in Mexico illegal logging in One extremely important thing to note to hatch in early autumn migrates down, the overwintering grounds continues to is the exclusive use of milkweed (Asclepias through Texas to central Mexico where cause concerns. In Texas, several factors spp.) for egg laying and larvae (caterpillar) they overwinter as reproductively inactive may be at work including a decrease in fall food. The caterpillars take in and store adults. In the spring, this generation begins nectaring plants, increased pesticide use specific organic compounds found in these its migration north. and a decrease in milkweed abundance. To milkweeds that makes them toxic to, and Upon encountering milkweed, they will understand how these affect the monarch, subsequently avoided by, predators. mate and lay eggs. This next generation of we must understand their complex life After the adult butterfly emerges from monarchs will then complete its life cycle history. the chrysalis, they are soon able to fly and continue the migration. The repetition In one life cycle, the monarch undergoes and seek out nectar plants to feed. The of this cycle is responsible for populating the

22 TEXAS WILDLIFE JANUARY 2016 THE PLIGHT OF THE MONARCH CONSERVATION LEGACY

doing this, we may learn that we can help a number of other species as well. Th is brings us to another consideration, the idea that there may be something bigger at stake. Th roughout the year, the monarch selects for the various habitat types that contain milkweed and the other fl owering plants. Th ese habitats, and many of the same plants, provide important resources for other species as well — namely, grassland dependent birds. Whether its seeds from the plants themselves, or other insects that are attracted to the plants, many grassland bird species directly overlap with the Milkweed is an essential part of the habitat selection of the monarch. Long term Twitter monarch life cycle, making up the entire averages show birds like the loggerhead @texaswildlife diet of the caterpillars. shrike, dickcissel, scissor-tailed fl ycatcher and grasshopper sparrow, to name a few, majority of the United States. Th e summer have seen similar population declines. generation’s life span is approximately two While these species may not register on to six weeks. everyone’s radar, another iconic animal, the Th e habitat needs of the monarch vary bobwhite quail, certainly does. In a very greatly depending on the timing of the similar way, albeit happening over a longer migration because of the complex life period of time, the bobwhite quail has seen style. One of the most important aspects drastic decreases in its overall abundance of habitat is the milkweed component. and range. Although the list of grassland In Texas, we have 37 diff erent species of bird species brings with it an equally long milkweed. Because of our location on the list of hypothesis about what may have migration route north, the diversity and caused the decline, common ground can Facebook® distribution of these plants are extremely be found in the habitat used by all. Th ere is search Texas Wildlife important. Although much eff ort is a caveat to all this, though. Since no single Association underway to plant milkweed in urban areas cause can be attributed to all the declines, and gardens, many of these species can also no one management strategy will suddenly be found on native rangelands. Th e second cause an upturn in the populations. What most important component is nectar we can do on our end is to promote the plants. Th ese fl owering plants provide a components of the habitat that is used in food source for the adults to accomplish common. the long migrations. While fl owers may be Prescribed fi re, duration and timing of plentiful during the spring due to rainfall, grazing, mechanical manipulation and one must also consider the availability planting are all tools in the proverbial of nectaring plants for the fall migration toolbox that can help reach the desired south. Since the vast majority of monarchs goal. Landowners/managers do not have Online texas-wildlife.org in the United States migrate through Texas, to approach this problem alone. Farm Bill we are one of their last stops to replenish programs such as EQIP, CRP and CSP are their reserves for the winter. available to provide fi nancial assistance to So why does all this matter? Th ere are those interested in the management of these several considerations here. First and species. Other groups such as the Oaks and foremost is the drastic decline of a species Prairies Joint Venture provide funding to in a relatively short period of time, a species qualifying land management practices on a that we all know and have some connection more regional basis. To fi nd out how you with, a species that has the possibility of not can get involved in management for both being around unless something is done. We monarchs and grassland birds, contact as people must do what we can to reverse your local USDA Natural Resources any negative impacts we are having on Conservation Service or Texas Parks and YouTube youtube.com/user/texaswildlifeassoc what was once a very abundant species. In Wildlife Department.

WWW.TEXAS-WILDLIFE.ORG 23 CORRECTION

Queen Butterfly (Photo by Clint Faas) Monarch Butterfly (Photo by Larry Jay)

Th e butterfl y pictured in Plight of the Monarch in your January issue of Texas Wildlife magazine was incorrectly identifi ed as a Monarch. Th at butterfl y (above left ) is actually a Queen Butterfl y. Th e Monarch Butterfl y can be distinguished by a lack of internal white spots on the underside of the back wing and thicker black lines on upper wing as seen above in the photo on the right. TWA magazine staff regrets the error.