More Monarchs Return to Mexico, But Now Face Cold Mark Stevenson - The Associated Press
go to original January 1, 2015

Monarch butterflies descend upon a Mexican forest during annual migration (Reuters)

PIEDRA HERRADA, Mexico – More Monarch butterflies appear to have made the long flight from the U.S. and Canada to their winter nesting ground in western Mexico, raising hopes after their number dropped to a record low last year. But experts still fear that unusual cold temperatures will threaten the orange and black insects.

While an official census won’t be ready until mid-January, observers are seeing healthy populations of butterflies bunched together on fir and pine trees in protected sanctuaries, said Gloria Talavera, director of the official monarch butterfly reserve.

“We’re encouraged, because we’ve seen more,” Talavera said.

But cold forecast for this winter, she said, “could put at risk the whole migratory phenomenon. … We will be saying a prayer each day until mid-February.”

Mexico’s National Meteorological Service predicts 55 cold fronts for the country through May, a 15 per cent increase from the average, and with the possibility for repeated cold systems to extend into March and April.

Read the rest at Global News

Related: Monarch Butterflies May Be Listed As Endangered Species

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