Beautiful Monarchs are a precious pollinator. Their numbers have extremely declined in recent years. Habitat declines in both the US and Mexico have contributed to this. In Mexico, illegal logging has removed trees that the monarchs use for overwintering. In the US, increased herbicide used has reduced both foraging and milkweed habitat. Monarchs use a variety of habitats from meadows to edges of agriculture fields to gardens and anywhere else flowers are blooming that provide nectar sources for the adults. Backyard pollinator gardens have been encouraged recently. Milkweeds are required for breeding, with eggs laid on the underside of common milkweed and the caterpillars feeding exclusively on their leaves. Without the Milkweed, Monarchs would not be able to continue.
