At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Invertebrates
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The migratory monarch is a population of the monarch butterfly famous for one of the most spectacular insect migrations on Earth. It is assessed (as the migratory subspecies) as Endangered.
Generations of monarchs travel thousands of kilometres between breeding and overwintering grounds.
Range & habitat
North America, with famous long-distance migrations to overwintering sites in Mexico and coastal California.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Loss of milkweed and breeding habitat
- Loss and degradation of overwintering forest
- Pesticides and climate extremes
Why it matters
An icon of insect migration, the monarch is a flagship for pollinator conservation and a visible barometer of habitat loss across an entire continent.
The 2022 Endangered listing applies to the migratory monarch subspecies. The wider species was assessed separately; confirm the relevant entry on the live IUCN list.
Sources
Sources for Monarch Butterfly (migratory)
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the monarch migration special?
Why is the migratory monarch Endangered?
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