Pismo Beach’s Mounting Worries Over Declining Monarchs

PISMO BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) - The Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove may have more humans than butterflies visiting, increasing concerns for scientists.

The latest counts of monarch butterflies on the west coast remain low, but their listing on the endangered species list has been delayed.

However, scientists with the Xerxes Society say the butterflies’ standing proposal as a threatened species still holds.

Studies are showing that among other environmental factors beyond control such as weather patterns and wildfires, humans’ use of herbicides and pesticides is one of the top factors contributing to the species’ decline.

Butterflies serve as an indicator species of overall ecological health.

They also serve as pollinators along with bees, and they provide food for birds and wildlife.

Scientists say humans can help butterflies by planting various flowers in their own gardens as well as native milkweed, the host plant for caterpillars.

Additionally, in-public and online advocacy can help the endangered species listing process.

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