Monarch butterfly population wintering in Mexico increases 144% [View all]

[Bayard]

https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/30/mexico-monarch-butterflies-wintering-population-increase#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s

Monarch production will not be replicated next year, experts warn, as above average temperatures will cause problems.

The population of monarch butterflies wintering in central Mexico is up 144% over last year, according to new research.

'It's a sad reality': a troubling trend sees a 97% decline in monarch butterflies

The data was cheered but scientists quickly warned that it does not mean the butterflies that migrate from Canada and the United States are out of danger.

This winter, researchers found the butterflies occupying 14.95 acres (6.05 hectares) of pine and fir forests in the mountains of Michoacán and Mexico states – an increase from 6.12 acres a year ago.

This year’s is the biggest measurement since the 2006-2007 period, said Andrew Rhodes, Mexico’s national commissioner for protected natural areas. A historic low of just 1.66 acres (0.67 hectares) was recorded in 2013-2014.