Monarch Butterfly

The monarch butterfly, known for its winter migration of up to 3,000 miles, was a sacred symbol for many indigenous cultures of Mexico. According to traditional belief, the monarchs contain the souls of ancestors returning to Earth for their annual visit. The monarch population fluctuates from year to year with a record low of less than 2,000 individuals being recorded for 2020-21. In 2022 however, their numbers jumped to over 200,000. Despite this increase, the monarch butterfly is on a downward trend. In 1980 the population was estimated at around 10 million! They are threatened primarily by pesticides and herbicides.