Monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico have rebounded this year, with the number doubling the area they covered in 2024 despite the challenges of climate change and habitat loss.
The big picture: The annual butterfly count measures the area they occupy on tree branches in the mountain pine and fir forests of Mexico, where they overwinter.
- The Commission for National Protected Areas in Mexico stated that this year, the butterflies covered 44 acres compared to 22 acres the previous year.
- Last year saw a significant 59% drop from 2023, marking the second-lowest level on record.
Zoom in; After spending the winter in Mexico, these iconic black and orange-winged butterflies migrate north breeding multiple generations along the way for thousands of miles.
- The improved numbers of monarch butterflies this year are attributed to better climatic factors and humidity, compared to the drought that affected them the previous year.
- While the monarch butterflies in Mexico have shown signs of recovery, populations in North America face challenges, including a reduction in milkweed, essential for their egg-laying.
