US Fish and Wildlife Service extends protections to ‘iconic’ insects, who experts say may not survive climate crisis

Summary

The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans to list monarch butterflies as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act by the end of 2025, citing declining populations due to climate change, agricultural expansion, and milkweed loss.

Monarchs have seen dramatic declines, including a 59% decrease in overwintering area in Mexico last year and an 81% drop along California’s coast over 25 years.

Protections would include habitat preservation and limits on land-use changes but allow educational uses and some incidental impacts.

A public comment period is now open.