They remain one of the most iconic insects in the country, but the monarch butterfly population could be in trouble.
Various theories are floating around in the science world, but one University of Calgary professor believes he may have a grasp on what could be causing their potential disappearance.
Paul Galpern, with the U of C’s faculty of environment and design, suggested the decline of milkweed, which provides vital breeding habitat for monarch butterflies, could be the main culprit behind their dwindling numbers.
“It’s absolutely essential for the Monarch butterfly, they lay their eggs on them, and they’re vital for the future of the animal,” Galpern said.
Galpern, as part of Mission Monarch, is asking Calgarians, and what he calls “citizen scientists,” to do their part in trying to piece together the answer to the mystery.
“We are asking citizen scientists to try and volunteer their time to head out and find patches of these plants,” he said.
Galpern asks that if you are out and about, log the location of the plant and give those details to Mission Monarch.
You can find more details about the project by visiting mission-monarch.org.
