Monarch butterflies are quickly dying out, at the risk of disappearing altogether. So far, their population in the east has declined by as much as 80 percent or more over the last 20 years.

The decline of milkweed plants and other nectar food sources, which are believed to be the work of widespread use of herbicides, among other factors,, are what researchers believe has contributed greatly to the population decline.

Scientists are now urging residents to try and help the problem by planting milkweed.

By planting milkweed plants in residential yards, along roads, in empty lots etc, they anticipate that it could help to save these butterflies from extinction. To help, it's estimated that over 1 billion milkweed plants are needed to boost the monarch butterfly population.

Some individuals have now taken to even raising monarch butterflies in their homes.

Researchers argue that by helping monarch butterflies it would in-turn help other pollinators too, which have also been on the decline; these pollinators are responsible for the majority of the world's flowering plants.

Government stands in the way.

That's because they fine homeowners who grow native plants like milkweed in their yards, if they deem the plant to be an uncut or uncontrolled weed.

Researchers behind the move to help the butterflies, insist that these sorts of native plants such as milkweed, are beautiful and beneficial elements in home landscaping and that the state should justly approve of them as acceptable to be planted and grown in someone's own yard, encouraging people to grow native plants and grasses.

Pics:
pixabay

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