Monarch Butterfly Numbers Are Down Sharply at Wintering Area

[bluemingidiot]

Scientists said the decline appeared to be driven by hot, dry conditions in the United States and Canada that reduced food supply.

Overall, when integrated across the nation and across the entire year, 2023 was a warm and dry year. The annual nationwide ranks were fifth warmest and 43rd driest), based on data for 1895-2023. But this was a year of extremes as considerable variation occurred throughout the year and across the country.

Louisiana had the eighth driest year on record. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire and Massachusetts each had the warmest year in the 1895-2023 record.