After years of decline, the Monarch butterfly population is up nearly 70 percent from last year.
Craig Wilson, a senior research associate in the Center for Mathematics and Science Education and a longtime butterfly enthusiast, says early numbers from the Monarch’s breeding ground in Mexico show that it has rebounded from 33 million in 2013-14 to over 56 million in 2014-15.
Dr. Wilson says there is still reason for concern, mainly because the number of milkweed plants has been decreasing. Wildfires, drought and the prevalence of herbicide resistant crops are all reasons for this.
Milkweed is the one plant that Monarchs lay their eggs on, therefore is vital to their existence.
There are national organizations making the effort to plant milkweed along the Monarchs’ migration route. Dr. Wilson says the public can also help my planting milkweed native to their state (there are about 30 varieties native to Texas) on their property.
Dr. Wilson is currently adding a variety of milkweed plants to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Garden on Texas A&M’s campus and the USDA People’s Garden on Holleman between the USDA building and Post Oak Mall.
He says we can expect the Monarchs to come through Bryan/College Station in late March or early April.
Click below to hear comments from Dr. Craig Wilson visiting with WTAW’s Chelsea Reber: