The Monarch, Karner Blue, Quino Checkerspot, Saint Francis Satyr, Oregon Silver-spot butterflies are important species due to endangered status.
Each species is reliant on specific plants, plant families as hosts for eggs, caterpillars. As the world warms, host plants are moving outside temperature zones of butterflies. Intensifying storms blow butterflies off course.
Human intervention is threatening migratory, non-migratory butterflies. Greatest threats to butterflies are habitat change – loss due to residential, commercial, agricultural development. Climate change, widespread pesticide use, invasive species are also threatening butterflies.
Can we create healthy butterfly habitats in our backyards, schools by planting native flowering plants. Not use pesticides on our plants? Butterflies rely on nectar from flowering plants.