A new study finds that butterfly populations are rapidly declining in the Midwest. Elise Zipkin, one of the authors of the study, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.

Detroit

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that butterfly populations in the Midwest have experienced a rapid decline. Researchers analyzed data from 136 butterfly species between 1992 and 2023, discovering that 56 species declined, with none showing an increase in population.

While the study did not directly investigate the causes, existing research points to changing land use, climate change, and increased use of insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids, as major factors. Butterflies play a crucial role in ecosystems, supporting crop production and serving as a food source for other organisms. Experts suggest that reducing insecticide use, restoring natural habitats, and planting native species can help support butterfly recovery.

What's behind rapidly declining butterfly populations in Midwest

Unfortunately, finds that butterfly populations are rapidly declining in the Midwest, so it was a study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and examined 136 butterfly species in the Midwest from 1992 through 2023. A long period of time and they found that during that time period, 56 of those species declined in none. Increased Elisa can joins us now. She's one of the authors of that study in a red cedar distinguished professor at Michigan State University. Thanks for being with us. At least this is such an eye opening study. What are some of the factors causing this decline that we're seeing? Yeah, although we didn't study the factors causing the decline in this analysis, we do know based on other research some of the reasons for the decline so a lot of it has to do with changing land use, changing climate, and also changing agricultural practices. So increased use of insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids, which are seeds coated with an insecticide that can leach into soils. Obviously butterflies are such a source of pleasure for so many people. They're so beautiful to look at, but besides that, why are they an important part of the environment and the ecosystem in general? Yeah, that's a great question. So insects, butterflies and other insects as well provide billions of dollars of services annually to us. They're important for things like our crop production. Cotton, apples, all sorts of things. And in addition to that, there are major food source for all other organisms in our food web. So lots of birds eat them as caterpillar stages, fats, all sorts of things. So really we rely on them for all kinds of things like decomposition and nutrient cycling. They're really an important part of our ecosystem and we would notice if they weren't there. Beyond this study, is there anything promising when it comes to the butterfly population? What efforts can be taken on both the national and local levels to preserve these populations? Yeah, great question. These butterflies and insects in general are really resilient, right? Unlike, you know, if you think about people or mammals, so it take a really long time to repopulate big losses, but under the right conditions, butterflies can really thrive. So I have a lot of hope if we do the right kinds of things, you know we can really make a big difference. So one would be, limiting the use of certain kinds of insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids, which have been banned in the European Union and greatly limited in Canada. Other things that we can do is continue all types of restoration for prairies and natural habitats in the Midwest and around the rest of the country. And finally, even kind of butterfly gardens that you do in your own house. So planting native species locally in your neighborhoods, that can make a big difference too. You know, the butterflies can find those spots. Yeah, making those changes for a true butterfly effect. Elise Zipkin, thank you very much. We appreciate it. Thank you for having me.

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