Is the Monarch Butterfly Endangered? Why This Iconic Species Is Disappearing — and How We Can Save It

The monarch butterfly is one of the most recognizable and beloved insects in North America. Famous for its brilliant orange wings and awe-inspiring migration, the monarch is also a powerful symbol of the health of our environment. 

But today, monarch butterflies are in serious trouble. 

After decades of decline, scientists now warn that monarch butterflies face a serious risk of extinction without strong protections. The questions isn’t just whether the monarch butterfly is endangered — it’s whether we will act in time to stop its disappearance.

Are monarch butterflies endangered? 

Monarch populations across North America have crashed over the last several decades: 

• The western monarch population has fallen by more than 95% 
• The eastern monarch population has declined by roughly 80% 

Because of these long-term losses, federal wildlife experts have proposed listing the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) — a critical step toward protecting the species and its habitat. At the global level, scientists have already classified the migratory monarch butterfly as endangered. 

These numbers tell a clear story: without strong, enforceable protections, monarch butterflies could disappear from much of their range within our lifetimes. 

Why monarchs matter 

Monarch butterflies aren’t just iconic — they’re essential. 

As pollinators, monarchs help support healthy plant communities that provide food, clean air, and stable ecosystems. Their decline is part of a broader collapse of insects and wildlife driven by toxic chemicals, habitat destruction, and climate change. 

When monarchs vanish, it’s a warning sign that our landscapes are becoming increasingly hostile to life — especially for communities already facing environmental injustice. 

A migration like no other 

Monarchs complete one of the most extraordinary migrations on the planet, traveling up to 3,000 miles between breeding grounds in the U.S. and Canada and wintering forests in Mexico and California. This journey unfolds across multiple generations, making monarchs uniquely vulnerable to disruptions anywhere along the route. 

Monarch survival also depends on one plant: milkweed. 

• Monarchs lay their eggs only on milkweed 
• Caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed leaves 
• Adult monarchs rely on diverse flowering plants for nectar 

When milkweed disappears, monarchs disappear with it. 

What’s killing monarch butterflies? 

The monarch’s decline is not a mystery — and it’s not inevitable. It’s the direct result of policies and practices that put corporate agriculture and chemical companies first. 

Toxic pesticides 

Industrial agriculture relies heavily on insecticides and herbicides that poison monarchs and wipe out the plants they depend on. Glyphosate and other pesticides contaminate soil, water, and plants, killing butterflies at every stage of life. 

Milkweed destruction 

The spread of herbicide-intensive, genetically engineered crops has eliminated millions of acres of milkweed from farmland, stripping monarchs of their breeding habitat. 

Habitat loss 

Development, road expansion, and industrial farming have destroyed and fragmented monarch breeding grounds and migratory corridors. 

Climate change 

Climate change — fueled by fossil fuel pollution — is disrupting monarch migration, increasing extreme weather, and threatening the forest habitats monarchs need to survive the winter. 

Deforestation in overwintering areas 

Illegal logging and land conversion in Mexico’s oyamel fir forests continue to put monarch wintering sites at risk. 

Why Endangered Species Act protections are critical 

The Endangered Species Act is one of the strongest tools we have to protect wildlife from extinction — but only if it’s fully enforced. 

Listing the monarch butterfly would: 

• Protect critical habitat from destruction 
• Limit harmful pesticide use and other threats 
• Require government agencies to consider monarch survival in decision-making 
• Support coordinated recovery efforts across borders 

Voluntary actions alone won’t save monarchs. We need laws with real teeth — and the political will to stand up to powerful industries. 

How we can protect monarch butterflies 

Saving monarchs means changing the systems that are driving their decline. 

End pesticide dependence 

We must move away from toxic chemicals and support organic, regenerative farming practices that protect pollinators.  And the toxicity of pesticides doesn’t end there — weedkillers like glyphosate are toxic to humans as well, especially farmworkers who are regularly exposed to them. 

Restore habitat 

Planting native milkweed and pesticide-free flowering plants helps — but large-scale habitat restoration must be built into agricultural and land-use policy. 

Defend strong environmental laws 

The Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other safeguards are under constant attack. Defending these laws is essential to protecting monarchs and the ecosystems we share. 

Hold polluters accountable 

Chemical companies shouldn’t be allowed to profit while pollinators disappear. Strong regulation and corporate accountability are key to reversing monarch declines. 

Friends of the Earth is fighting for monarchs 

For more than 50 years, Friends of the Earth has challenged polluters, exposed corporate influence, and fought for a healthier, more just planet. We are working to: 

• Reduce pesticide use 
• Protect pollinator habitat 
• Transform our food system 
• Defend strong environmental protections 

The fight to save monarch butterflies is part of a larger fight — for clean air, safe food, climate justice, and a livable future for all. 

Take action for monarchs 

🌱 Support pesticide reform 
🌼 Plant a native, pesticide-free habitat 
✊ Shop at pollinator-friendly grocery stores 

Together, we can stop the monarch’s decline — and build a world where people and nature thrive.