This should be controversial

[Adam Cotton]

www.centerforfoodsafety.org/files/monarch-esa-petition-final_61585.pdf

[exoticimports]

No, it's commercial now. Go catch as many as you can, it's an investment!

[laurie1]

The world's gone mad.

[nomihoudai]

I lol'd. I hope nobody on here was involved in these 159 pages of paper-waste.

[jshuey]

It's worth reading pages 90-97 which discuss the issue of neonicotinoid biocides. I believe these have been banned in the EU because of implications in pollinator declines, and are probably the driver behind the general decline of pollinators in North America as well. The threat from neonicotinoids is not very well understood – but all the preliminary evidence is that they have the potential to wreck insect diversity if over used.

In my neck of the woods, they are used to pre-treat seed of corn and soybeans – “just in case” something attacks the plants. They are applied as a dry powder to seeds at levels which protect the entire plant as it grows (again just in case some pest attacks the plants – not because there is a problem). A cloud of insecticide dust is released as the fields are planted, which in Indiana spreads at LD50 – type levels for honey bees up to a half kilometer from the field edge. More ominously, these get drawn into the plants, and can pass to pollinators at levels that are lethal through nectar. I read recently somewhere that there is enough neonicotinoid on each corn seed to kill over 1,000 honey bees (if it were distributed perfectly at the minimum dose to 1,000 bees of course).

Potentially – this is an issue that could have devastating impacts on our community – and I suggest that everyone become informed as more information becomes available.

John

[Adam Cotton]

Discussion on TILS Leps-Talk e-mail group and apparently also Desert Leps group suggests that the real main focus of the listing is to attack the US butterfly release industry. People believe that the anti breeding for release people have failed in every other attempt to stop breeding of monarchs for release and have turned to this method now.

Adam.

PS. I do agree with John that the effects of insecticides and other chemicals used in agriculture, such as herbicides, are serious; but as well as having a detrimental effect on insects they probably adversely affect other animals, both wild and domesticated.

[bluemoth]

Truly shocking that folks think this butterfly should be listed as endangered. The report says at least 11 millon Monacchs are relesed at weddings and other events. This will gives a huge benifical boost to the wild population every year. About diseases Monarchs are tested by breedrs for OE and are not bread if they test positive. As for the other 3 diseases mentioned no percentage was given as to how many captive bread Monarchs carry the diseases. I will reserch more about this because I am cureus. But in my opinyon more study of monarch diseases and if they relly addversly affect wild stock in a terribl way as to make this butterfly die out in the wild should be done. I beleave it is more the pestisides and habbitat loss that are the main problem here for this butterfly. Not butterfly breeders.

[beetlehorn]

It's difficult to point the finger of blame on any one thing, but the wide-range use of agricultural chemicals and herbicides seems to be the main culprit here, and the facts regarding the numbers are definitely true. I can't remember ever seeing so few Monarch butterflies, I think the total for this summer is less than ten in areas where I used to see many dozens! Something has drastically reduced their numbers within the last few years which is coincidental with modern farming practices, and the use of agricultural chemicals and herbicides as John stated. I just heard a radio show on NPR called "On Point" which discussed the Monarch's decline in detail. onpoint.wbur.org/2014/08/20/monarch-butterflies-migration-climate-change
As I remember I think it was Lincoln Brower as the main guest. He mentioned several reasons for the butterfly's decline including the illegal logging in Mexico we have all heard about, and mowing down stands of milkweed at crucial times of the butterfly's development. If the petition is successful, I can't help but wonder if it will have a positive affect on the Monarch's future, that is if there is a chance for their recovery. Perhaps it would be more beneficial to set aside large areas, or extensive strips of land where milkweed and other native plants are allowed to grow. Also we should really take a hard look at whether the chemicals and herbicides mentioned could be harmful to people! The widespread increase of diseases such as cancer may suggest we are all ingesting this crap in different ways. Thus warranting the termination of their usefulness.
Another point was mentioned in regards to individual intervention. We should all get involved by planting Milkweed seeds anywhere it can grow across this butterfly's range. There are several organizations that offer free seeds to anyone, here is a link to one of them. monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/milkweed/free-milkweeds
It is truly a shame on us as a society that we have let such an abundant species get to the point of such low population numbers. The same can be said for several other species....the American bison, the Passenger Pigeon, and the Carolina Parakeet just to name a few. Since butterflies are prolific breeders, and have relatively high-paced life cycles (in the case of Monarchs three broods per year), perhaps we can intervene and bring not only the Monarch's population density back up, but other butterflies that are in dire need of help such as the Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia), which also nectars on milkweeds. I for one am getting as many seeds as I can, and have many places in mind to distribute them. I think there should be a law passed on protecting the remaining plants now, because they are the only thing left at the moment that is supporting the few Monarchs we have left. It is only logical if we want to preserve the species, the question is.....how much do we want to save these butterflies?