Why butterflies matter

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Yeti cleans up the kitchen and then walks over to Jenny to see what she is reading. She reads the article out loud for him.

‘Colorful, graceful, and even a bit mystical, butterflies are arguably one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet. They are subjects of stories, songs, visual art, and even spiritual accounts. But these winged beings don’t exist just to grab our attention with their vibrant colors.

Like all living things, butterflies are essential to our ecosystems. When the numbers of butterflies and moths change, it tells a story about the health of our environment. So, you may be asking, why exactly do we need butterflies? And, if they are threatened, what are the causes?

A butterfly’s role—Areas filled with butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates benefit with pollination and natural pest control. Butterflies and moths are also an important part of the food chain, providing food for birds, bats, and other animals.

Fragility—As would be expected, butterflies are delicate animals, and therefore sensitive to change. When they struggle to survive it is a warning about the health of our environment.

Shifting temperatures—From a timing perspective, butterflies are emerging earlier than in the past, and if they emerge too early, they could encounter frost and die; likewise they could emerge in early spring before plant sources are available and they could starve.

Storms—Severe weather is causing millions of butterflies to die. The cold and wetness from these extreme storms can be very threatening to butterflies.

Habitat loss—Butterfly habitats are being destroyed on a massive scale worldwide. In North America, much research is being conducted on monarchs, which are at risk due to milkweed loss. Milkweed is disappearing rapidly because of urbanization, industrialization, and the widespread use of herbicides. Female monarchs use milkweed to lay their eggs on. When they hatch the larvae and caterpillars feed on the milkweed’s leaves.

Deforestation—Monarch research also tells us that these butterflies depend on evergreen trees to shade out the sunlight and provide vital roosting space for rest, warmth, and protection.

Intervention—Fortunately, awareness is rising, especially regarding the decline of monarchs. During a February meeting, President Barack Obama, Mexico's President Peña Nieto, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed to a taskforce on monarch conservation. The film “Flight of the Butterflies” and other recent media coverage is bringing much-needed attention to the issue.’ (Source)

When Jenny finishes reading the article Yeti comments on how interesting it is to learn all about butterflies. He decides it’s time to call his BFF, Mr. Toffee, to see how he’s doing. Jenny continues her searching.

Continue reading - What Does It Mean When A Butterfly Lands On You?

Back to the beginning - Jenny learns all about butterflies and what they symbolize