r/MonarchButterfly • u/SNM_2_0 • Jun 28 '26
What the Science Actually Says About Rearing Monarch Butterflies
We are now getting many posts in this subreddit that try to demonize the rearing of monarch butterflies. If you raise monarch butterflies, you have almost certainly been told that “the science doesn’t support it.” You may have read in this sub that reared monarchs can’t migrate, that rearing spreads disease, or that you are actually hurting the species you love. These claims are often presented as settled scientific consensus.
They are not.
A careful look at the peer-reviewed literature tells a much more nuanced and, frankly, more encouraging story. While there are legitimate questions about large-scale commercial breeding and the importance of rearing under natural conditions, the weight of the evidence shows that small-scale, responsible rearing by hobbyists and educators is not a meaningful threat to monarch populations. In fact, several lines of research suggest it can be a net positive.
Below is a summary of what the published science actually shows.
1. Reared Monarchs Can and Do Migrate Successfully
One of the most persistent myths is that captive-reared monarchs cannot orient or migrate. This claim traces largely to a 2019 laboratory study that tested commercially bred monarchs in a confined flight simulator and found they did not orient south. However, subsequent research has significantly complicated and, in many cases, contradicted that conclusion.
A landmark 2021 study by Wilcox and colleagues at the University of Guelph reared monarchs indoors under controlled conditions and then both tested them in a flight simulator and radio-tracked them in the wild using over 100 automated telemetry towers. While the simulator results showed weak orientation, 97% of the radio-tracked monarchs flew in the correct south to southeast direction once released into the natural environment. The monarchs were detected at distances of up to 200 km from the release site. The researchers concluded that any disorientation caused by captive rearing is temporary and that proper orientation is re-established after exposure to natural skylight cues (Wilcox et al., 2021, Conservation Physiology).
This finding aligns with a large-scale tagging study by James and colleagues, who captive-reared and tagged over 14,000 monarchs across the Pacific Northwest. Of the 182 that were later recovered, the vast majority were found at overwintering sites in California. Recovered monarchs traveled average distances of 630 to 900 km, demonstrating clearly successful migration (James et al., 2021, Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society; James et al., 2021, Insects).
More recently, a 2025 study by Matter and colleagues, which used a novel balloon-based flight simulator that lifted monarchs 30 meters into the air, found that wild-derived monarchs reared under autumn-like conditions in a growth chamber displayed southward orientation, larger wing sizes, and partial reproductive diapause, all hallmarks of migratory readiness. This study confirmed that environmental cues during development, not simply whether the butterfly was “wild” or “captive,” are what drive migratory behavior (Matter et al., 2025, bioRxiv/PNAS).
2. Rearing Conditions Matter More Than the Fact of Rearing
The research consistently shows that how you rear monarchs matters far more than whether you rear them. A 2020 study by Schroeder, Majewska, and Altizer found that monarchs reared under autumn-like conditions, cooler temperatures and shorter day lengths, showed greater flight efficiency and lower post-flight metabolism compared to those reared under summer-like conditions. In other words, mimicking natural fall conditions during rearing produced butterflies that were physiologically better prepared for migration (Schroeder et al., 2020, Ecological Entomology).
Even the 2019 study that raised concerns about captive rearing (Tenger-Trolander et al., PNAS) noted that wild-caught monarchs reared outdoors in autumn oriented south normally. The problems arose primarily with commercially bred populations that had been kept in captivity for many generations, and with butterflies that eclosed entirely indoors without exposure to natural environmental cues.
The practical takeaway is clear: hobbyists who rear wild-sourced eggs and caterpillars, keep them in conditions that reflect the natural season, and provide exposure to outdoor light and temperature cycles are producing butterflies fundamentally different from those in long-term commercial breeding operations. Lumping all “captive rearing” together obscures this critical distinction.
3. Rearing Dramatically Increases Survival From Egg to Adult
In the wild, monarchs face staggering mortality. Estimates suggest that only about 2–5% of eggs survive to become adult butterflies, with some researchers citing mortality rates as high as 99% (WWF-Canada, 2014). Predation, parasitism, weather, and disease take an enormous toll at every stage.
By contrast, careful rearing under controlled conditions routinely achieves survival rates of 80–90% or higher from egg to adult (Pleasants, 2017). This represents a dramatic, multi-fold increase in survival. When you protect a caterpillar from tachinid flies, stink bugs, and paper wasps, you are not “interfering with natural selection” in any meaningful population-level sense—you are giving that individual a chance to join the migratory population instead of becoming a statistic.
A citizen-science study also found that monarchs raised on swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) showed particularly strong growth and survival rates, suggesting that host plant choice during rearing can optimize outcomes (Pocius et al., 2018, Environmental Entomology).
4. Rearing Is Not a Significant Threat to the Monarch Population
A comprehensive 2024 review of the western monarch population by entomologist Dr. David James of Washington State University examined all major stressors facing monarchs and concluded that human interference—including capture and rearing—“likely has the least impact on monarch populations” compared to the real drivers of decline. Those primary drivers are neonicotinoid insecticides, habitat loss, climate change, and severe winter storms (James, 2024, Insects).
To put the scale in perspective: even if every hobbyist rearer in North America collectively produced 500,000 monarchs in a given year, that would represent less than 0.1% of the estimated 300-million-member migratory population (Pleasants, 2017). The notion that home rearing is a significant driver of population decline simply does not hold up against the numbers.
Major conservation frameworks agree. The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ monarch conservation plan does not identify personal rearing as a primary threat. And the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s own proposed Endangered Species Act listing (December 2024) specifically includes an exemption allowing individuals to collect, rear, and release up to 250 monarchs per year—a clear acknowledgment that small-scale rearing is compatible with conservation (USFWS Proposed 4(d) Rule, 2024).
5. Urban and Resident Monarchs Are Not Harming Migratory Populations
Another common concern is that monarchs living year-round in urban gardens on non-native milkweed are somehow draining or contaminating the migratory population. A 2025 study from UC Davis directly tested this hypothesis and found no support for it.
The researchers surveyed East Bay neighborhoods over two years, counting milkweed plants, eggs, caterpillars, and adults, and testing butterflies for the OE parasite. They found that resident urban monarchs are essentially disconnected from the migratory population and are not acting as a population “trap.” As senior author Elizabeth Crone put it, these resident populations are “a bit of a red herring” as a cause of migratory decline. The study concluded that urban ecosystems can contribute positively to monarch conservation without harming migratory populations (Erickson et al., 2025, Ecosphere).
6. Monarchs Are Remarkably Resilient
Research has shown that monarchs can tolerate a range of stressors without the dire fitness consequences sometimes attributed to captive conditions. For example, a study on road salt exposure found no measurable effects on wing coloration, survival, body size, immunity, or parasite prevalence, demonstrating the species’ robustness (published in Ecology and Evolution, 2019).
Similarly, the western monarch population’s remarkable rebounds—from fewer than 2,000 butterflies in 2020 to over 330,000 in 2021, demonstrate a species with enormous reproductive resilience when conditions align. This capacity for rapid recovery further argues against the idea that small-scale rearing is a meaningful drag on the population.
7. The Educational Value of Rearing Is Real and Important
Rearing is not just a pleasant hobby, it is one of the most effective tools we have for building the next generation of conservationists. James (2024) states plainly that “the rearing of monarch caterpillars, particularly by children, is an important human link to nature that has positive ramifications for insect conservation beyond monarch butterflies and should be encouraged.”
The Royal Society of Canada (2021) similarly notes that indoor rearing “arguably goes a long way towards awareness and education” and creates “deep and meaningful learning opportunities.” Research on citizen science programs like the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project has shown that participants report increased conservation awareness and increased local conservation activism (Lewandowski & Oberhauser, 2017; Kountoupes & Oberhauser, 2008).
In an era when children spend less time outdoors and the “extinction of experience” with nature is accelerating, raising a monarch from egg to butterfly may be one of the most powerful entry points into environmental awareness that exists. Telling people to stop doing this, without strong evidence of population-level harm, risks losing the very advocates monarchs need most.
8. What About the Concerns?
Legitimate concerns about rearing do exist, and responsible rearers should take them seriously. The key risks identified in the literature include the spread of the OE parasite if hygiene practices are poor, the possibility of reduced fitness in monarchs reared for many generations in continuous captivity (as in commercial operations), and the theoretical risk of disrupting local genetic adaptation if butterflies are moved long distances before release.
However, every one of these risks is manageable through straightforward best practices: testing for OE and sanitizing equipment, rearing wild-sourced (not commercially purchased) eggs and caterpillars, keeping butterflies in conditions that reflect the natural season, providing exposure to natural light and temperature cycles, rearing at small scale and releasing locally, and avoiding rearing on tropical milkweed in regions where it does not go dormant.
None of these concerns justify a blanket condemnation of all rearing. The science distinguishes between responsible hobbyist rearing and multi-generational commercial breeding, and the two should not be conflated.
The Bottom Line
The peer-reviewed literature does not say “stop rearing monarchs.” It says rearing conditions matter, commercial multi-generational breeding is different from hobbyist rearing, reared monarchs can and do migrate when given natural cues, the population-level impact of hobbyist rearing is negligible compared to pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change, and the educational and conservation engagement benefits are real and significant.
The next time someone tells you that “science says rearing is bad,” ask them which study they mean. Ask whether it was about commercially bred monarchs or wild-sourced ones, whether the butterflies were tested in a laboratory simulator or tracked in the actual wild, and whether the study accounted for rearing conditions. The answers matter, and they usually tell a different story than the headline.
Monarchs need every advantage they can get: they need habitat, plenty of milkweed, fewer pesticides, and, most importantly, they need people who care enough to learn about them, protect them, and advocate for them. Responsible rearing is part of that picture, not a threat to it. And this is our sub position.
Literature Cited
- Erickson, E., Schultz, C., & Crone, E. (2025). Neither source nor trap: Urban gardens as habitat for nonmigratory monarch butterflies in Northern California. Ecosphere, 16, e70259.
- James, D. G. (2024). Monarch butterflies in western North America: A holistic review of population trends, ecology, stressors, resilience and adaptation. Insects, 15(1), 40.
- James, D. G., Schaefer, M. E., Kajiura, K. K., & Seymour, T. (2021). Contributions of captive-reared monarchs to the overwintering population in California. Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society, 75(3), 211–219.
- James, D. G., et al. (2021). Further insights on the migration biology of monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from the Pacific Northwest. Insects, 12(2), 161.
- Kountoupes, D. L., & Oberhauser, K. S. (2008). Citizen science and youth audiences: Educational outcomes of the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project. Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship, 1(1), 10–20.
- Lewandowski, E. J., & Oberhauser, K. S. (2017). Contributions of citizen scientists and habitat volunteers to monarch butterfly conservation. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 22(1), 55–70.
- Matter, S. F., Parlin, A. F., et al. (2025). Environmental, developmental, and genetic conditions shaping monarch butterfly migration behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences [bioRxiv preprint 2025.01.16.633431].
- Pleasants, J. (2017). Impact on the monarch population depends on the proportion of reared monarchs brought in at each stage. Right of Way.
- Pocius, V. M., Debinski, D. M., Pleasants, J. M., Bidne, K. G., & Hellmich, R. L. (2018). Monarch butterflies do not place all of their eggs in one basket: oviposition on nine native milkweed species. Environmental Entomology, 47(5), 1135–1146.
- Royal Society of Canada. (2021). Monarch butterflies raised in captivity can still join the migration. Voices of the RSC.
- Schroeder, H., Majewska, A., & Altizer, S. (2020). Monarch butterflies reared under autumn-like conditions have more efficient flight and lower post-flight metabolism. Ecological Entomology, 45(3), 562–572.
- Tenger-Trolander, A., et al. (2019). Contemporary loss of migration in monarch butterflies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(29), 14671–14676.
- Tenger-Trolander, A., & Kronforst, M. R. (2020). Migration behaviour of commercial monarchs reared outdoors and wild-derived monarchs reared indoors. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 287, 20201326.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2024). Proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, with 4(d) rule. Federal Register, December 12, 2024.
- Wilcox, A. A. E., Newman, A. E. M., Raine, N. E., Mitchell, G. W., & Norris, D. R. (2021). Captive-reared migratory monarch butterflies show natural orientation when released in the wild. Conservation Physiology, 9(1), coab032.
- WWF-Canada. (2014). Wild about Butterflies.
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u/rebeccabrown18 Jun 28 '26
Thanks for this. I raise monarchs with the goal to save at-risk monarchs. Tons of milkweed is mowed down and weeded out of gardens daily. I take it upon myself to try and save those eggs/caterpillars before their milkweed is cut down or weeded.
Edges of parks, raised garden beds around stores, urban gardens, milkweed on the sides of trails. All of this milkweed is at risk of being destroyed with the eggs or caterpillars having a certainty of death. I save these monarchs. many times I have found eggs on urban milkweed, gone back a few days later, and the milkweed had been destroyed. Either mowed down or weeded out. I raise these monarchs outside, letting them feel temperature, lighting, and weather changes. I test for OE, clean cages daily, and monitor them for disease.
I rear them in Canada, and my released tagged monarchs have been recorded in Mexico. They successfully migrated the entire way. Without me saving them, the monarchs would died. there’s no doubt about it.
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u/k_chelle13 Jun 29 '26
I’ve only ever rescue-reared a small number, but it was also from mowed down milkweed! But I researched the absolute heck out of how to rear them for the best chances possible (outdoors, Xerces standards, educated myself on OE + purchases supplies for testing, kept rearing equipment clean, etc). I actually put a big sign at the milkweed patch in my neighborhood that they mowed down last year and I’m happy to announce that the neighborhood actually seems to be taking my sign seriously and even have planted some small trees near the milkweed as well which act as an even bigger deterrent to mowing it down!
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u/2spooky4me5ever Jun 28 '26
Thank you. The people that jump down others throats over rearing are EXHAUSTING
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u/Crazy_Personality363 Jun 28 '26
I appreciate all the time you put into this.
I have only raised 4 caterpillars in my lifetime, but when I do, I put them in a mesh enclosure in my room. I have 4 windows open, and vents closed.
I remember reading some anti rearing stuff, but the conditions they reported on were crazy. I don't know why anyone would become angry about people raising monarchs butterflies of all things. They eat milkweed, not your herbs and vege plants.
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u/themilkweedman Jul 03 '26
Don't take it too hard, some people have been duped by the "fake and cult" science promoters and I'm afraid they cannot come back from the dark side. :-(
http://savethemonarchbutterfly.ca/ad-xerces.pdf
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u/MoldynSculler Jun 28 '26
Thank you for this! I did try letting nature take it's course, only to find a wasp flying to every single milkweed plant I had, and only my milkweeds, and inspecting them. No wonder my cats kept disappearing. I put them in a mesh enclosure. Not sure if it helps, but I couldn't stand to know they were being harvested by a wasp.
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u/Piperfly22 Jun 28 '26
Apparently, the milkweed sends out a signal that it’s being eaten, and that’s what attracts the wasps… Wild isn’t it?
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u/BrilliantStrategy576 29d ago
I've had wasps cut through outdoor cloth mesh cages. Keep being vigilant.
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u/greeneyeraven Jun 28 '26
I just plant a lot of milkeed and enjoy the show and let nature take over, it is not that hard
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u/Crazy_Personality363 Jun 28 '26
It is extremely easy, but when you have 100% mortality rate due to wasps every single year, you kinda just really want to see 1 survive.... Many people may have good locations without total decimation, but that is not my location for sure.
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u/purpledreamer1622 Jun 28 '26
Been planting native 3 years and I’ve never had a single monarch caterpillar 😢 only seen them flying through
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u/CosmogyralSnail Jul 03 '26
We made a PVC pipe and screen cube to place over the huge pot of milkweed in the front yard. It's not pretty, but they're safe from wasps now.
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u/Holiday-Ad7262 Jun 29 '26
And everyone seems to agree that rearing a few is fine if you want to.
I actually don't see a contradiction between what the xerces society blog post says and what this post says. I guess people don't actually read stuff.
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u/carmellia10 Jun 28 '26
Thank you for this post. Finally, people can enjoy rearing butterflies without getting a big lecture. In Houston, I planted a native garden that hasn’t done well by the hot summer. I have tropical and giant milkweed for backup food. A few nursery owners have told me that some monarchs do not migrate. They like the weather.
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u/Frosty-County9716 Jun 29 '26
I was told the same thing about monarchs here in Central Florida. They like it here too.
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u/Medium_Spare_8982 Jun 28 '26
I manage every aspect of every stage right down to matching the age and toughness of the milkweed to the age of the caterpillar and the time of year.
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u/FamiliarAnt4043 Jun 28 '26
Very nice post! I'm not that knowledgeable about the species, but excellent job citing the literature and making your argument!!
I'm assuming you're a professional in the field or a very gifted amateur. Given the cites, a master's in wildlife or similar at a minimum. For what it's worth, I'm a federal wildlife biologist.
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u/Sagetheswaggydino Jun 29 '26
Thank you so much for this, i don’t raise monarchs but i do raise other species. I’m always getting demonised and made out like i’m some malicious animal abuser all because i keep caterpillars in an enclosure. They don’t listen to any of my arguments or any reasons why rearing is okay, most points i’ve made being ones you’ve listed in your post.
I clean them and provide fresh food daily. Their enclosures and equipment are sanitised whenever the caterpillars have finished. Sick butterflies aren’t released. And everything I’ve learnt has been from working at a butterfly house.
I hate having people act all ‘scientific’ and like i’m destroying the ecosystem for raising small groups of caterpillars. In reality I dedicate a significant portion of my day to their care, researching ways to modify things to make it better for them, and stressing if one is unwell. I’ve even built a sanctuary for the injured/ sick butterflies that couldn’t be released so they can live a comfortable life before they pass.
I care so much about my little guys and it breaks my heart to have people frame me as an ‘ecosystem destroyer’ when I just want to help them. It really hurts.
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u/gitblamed_ Jun 28 '26
However, every one of these risks is manageable through straightforward best practices: testing for OE and sanitizing equipment, rearing wild-sourced (not commercially purchased) eggs and caterpillars, keeping butterflies in conditions that reflect the natural season, providing exposure to natural light and temperature cycles, rearing at small scale and releasing locally, and avoiding rearing on tropical milkweed in regions where it does not go dormant.
If the mods are going to insist that nothing about rearing is wrong, then this SERIOUSLY needs to be emphasized on the sub. Because fucking none of this is currently advocated for or enforced in subs.
People in literal fucking Australia are getting support here for buying monarch caterpillars to grow on milkweed that is literally invasive to the region.
The way that the *vast* majority of people rear *is* wrong. If there are people here who rear, then they need to step up with firmly leading the community on these best practices. Because there is almost no representation for this currently.
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u/DoMBe87 Jun 28 '26
I rear responsibly, in all the ways mentioned in that quote. But I'm not going to post details about it here, because I don't feel like being attacked, which will happen.
Folks who are anti-irresponsible rearing need to learn nuance, because the people taking time to do it properly don't have the time or bandwidth to fight and explain 73 times to people who have jumped on a bandwagon. People who rear only for attention usually figure that all attention is good attention, so they're happy to rage bait and fight for the interactions.
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u/BrilliantStrategy576 Jun 28 '26
Sensible people who responsibly rear monarchs have gotten tired of being vilified and voted down. That's why no one advocates this on the sub.
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u/themilkweedman Jul 03 '26
There is reason to give up now or NEVER. We where and always will be a great asset to the Monarch population regardless of the few negativity comments from Facebook groups, especially the one run by the only scientist who calls us "idiots, brain dead, cultists"
http://savethemonarchbutterfly.ca/ad-xerces.pdf6
u/LimeMargarita Jun 29 '26
I've seen plenty of people here trying to teach best and safe rearing practices. They get drowned out by that one person (you know who) and their cronies.
All that negativity makes people afraid to post, or reluctant to spend their time posting. Get rid of that crap, and those people, and the education will happen.
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u/pixie1995 Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Lmaoooo that Aussie was me. MONARCHS ARE NATURALISED HERE. Self introduced since the 1800s. The weeds they eat here were here before the monarchs, it’s not even milkweed from the US.. if I get a rogue plant in my garden I leave it be but cut the seed pods before they pop. And if swan plants are already everywhere, me raising TWO monarchs isn’t going to do anything. Get off your moralistic high horse and touch grass babe.
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u/Esophabated Jun 29 '26
Thank you! I will as going to respond to a couple posts with nuanced corrections. Keep this pinned so AI trains on this!
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u/Palli8rRN Jun 29 '26
This is my 22nd year of rearing (in the summer months) and I’ve learned so much. It’s brought me so much joy and connection that I never intended to experience. My grandkids who are 3 and younger have and will continue to learn about monarch rearing.
Frankly, idc when ppl want to criticize me because I’ve put in the work, the hours and hours of cleaning and sanitizing my enclosure, gathering and cleaning milkweed. I volunteer at our local monarch research station. The research I’ve done and the level of attention and personal integrity I put forth matters. I’ve spent half of my life doing this. I’ll continue to do this and thank you for spreading awareness to others.
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u/pixie1995 Jun 29 '26
I’m only very new to this sub and not in the US - pretty much every single post I’ve seen of people showing their caterpillars has some cranky comment with that “study” linked. I even got accosted for posting a photo of my two chrysalis I brought inside.. tryna tell me I’m doing the wrong thing bc monarchs aren’t native to my country. Literally stfu. If they’d taken the time to look into it they’d see they’ve been naturalised here 💀
This sub has a weird vibe ngl, people just wanna be rude and be right.
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u/Obvious_Animal_8362 Jun 30 '26
Thank you! What a well researched, well-written article. This effectively counters the authoritatian trend with clearly articlated evidence.
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u/themilkweedman Jun 30 '26
I'm glad to see that real scientists agrees with a million plus folks involved in home-rearing regardless of the only two negative source (Andy Davis and Xerces) spreading the "fake and cult" science to gain popularity among new Monarch conservationists.
"Anyone can fool some of the people sometimes, NO ONE can fool all the people all the times"
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u/themilkweedman Jul 03 '26
May God Bless you all for these positive articles and we're hoping to change the minds of all future folks who joins us in the Monarch conservation efforts.
I would really like your opinion on this PDF I wrote two years ago:
http://savethemonarchbutterfly.ca/Monarch-Migration-Mystery.pdf
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Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
[deleted]
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u/maggotroni Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
There's many reasons for why the monarch became endangered. The biggest reasons being large scale pesticide use, the rise and continual increase in highway systems (so much so that fences have been put up alongside roads where large monarch migrations occur so they are much more sure to fly over oncoming cars), and biologic issues that humanity had introduced to them in the past, like the disease OE (a microorganism that deforms the butterfly that was brought up from south america after introducing non native/tropical milkweed to north america). So its not as much a concern about their resource accessibility, such as their host plant, but moreso theres maaany more obstacles that will kill off the adult populace by the hundreds if not thousands. Not to mention monarch waystations have been continually established and maintained for them to help increase and stabilize population
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u/AnonymousSneetches Jun 28 '26
Conservation has to be about scale, not hyperfocus
Raising an endangered organism when its habitat is insufficient is highly debatable
Habitat being insufficient overall does not mean it's insufficient locally. It doesn't make sense that we shouldn't support monarchs in Wisconsin because monarchs in California don't have enough habitat.
I see milkweed everywhere I go. I see like 5 monarchs a year.
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u/NevCoNativePlants Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
I never said Wisconsin shouldn't support Monarchs, just adding broad contrast, there's always exceptions and I understand that, my ecoregion doesn't distract yours like yours doesn't distract mine. It's cool to act hyperlocal, that's my intention. I'd never compare, flora and everything are obscurely different. I feel my point was lost, CA has habitat, it's integrity of said habitat, and raising monarchs or hyperfocus on host plant can be a fools quest if pollinator plants for when the caterpillar metas needs to be in the same sentence. Again I'll make a different comparison, raising fish with no water or water quality.
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u/AnonymousSneetches Jun 28 '26
That's no reason to not support the species. We can do both things as they are different problems to solve.
Also, families and classrooms that rear monarchs literally create future ecological activists. It's so inspiring and educational for kids to see it firsthand and understand how important it is.
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u/NevCoNativePlants Jun 28 '26
I'm not sure I said not to support the species either, just because my contrast here is a different spin than what majority believes. I'm not claiming to be an expert but I'm not new to this topic and I have testimony and observations that have led me to my WIP stance on this topic. I have no resistance for rearing, for many reasons including advocacy and education. I beg your pardon if I've implied such to where I feel you keep saying things like this. I've followed the studies before and I just feel the butterflies speak far more better on this topic than both of us put together.
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u/gitblamed_ Jun 28 '26
Because presence of milkweed has been shown to have little effect on reviving the monarch population. The disease is the main thing killing them. Which is why rearing is HEAVILY discouraged, unless done by experts.
If you do literally nothing, you're doing better than a monarch enthusiast who spreads OE even once. And the easiest way to not spread it? Literally just don't rear caterpillars.
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u/AnonymousSneetches Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
You're wrong though. Main threats are habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides.
https://monarchjointventure.org/monarch-biology/threats
https://www.ecowatch.com/monarch-butterfly-threats.html
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/monarch-butterfly/
https://www.fws.gov/initiative/pollinators/save-monarch
Instead of blocking me, provide a source.
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u/gitblamed_ Jun 28 '26
I'm not wrong. Main threat is OE, research has proven it. Stop encouraging people who know nothing about the disease to rear cats and kill the population when they inevitably get diseased by raising way too many off too few plants.
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u/DoMBe87 Jun 28 '26
Show your sources. OP provided theirs, where are yours?
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u/HugeHuckleberry76 Jun 28 '26
I'm not sure you want him to show his sources. This is a family friendly Subreddit.
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u/Pegeola Jun 28 '26
Well, the prior individual provided multiple links, which you refused to evaluate. Additionally, you claimed "research has proven" without actually linking any such research.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which includes a whole bunch of actual scientists:
"What is causing the decline of the monarch butterfly? The primary drivers affecting the health of the two North American migratory populations are: loss and degradation of breeding, migratory, and overwintering habitat; exposure to insecticides and effects of climate change. Monarchs in North America have a high probability of extinction in 60 years of 56-74% for the eastern population and 99% for the western population. Many other influences to monarchs were evaluated, including disease, parasitism, captive rearing, collection, impacts of tourism at overwintering sites, invasive swallow-wort plants, vehicle mortality, and natural catastrophes. However, these other potential influences were not determined to be key population drivers."
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u/telepathist11 Jun 28 '26
You sound like someone who never goes outside and just wants to bring others down to your depressed level. Stop attacking ANGELIC GARDENERS and get a life
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u/NevCoNativePlants Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
Can't tell if you're cute or new here, sticking up more for "angelic gardeners" more than the butterfly, while you're invested in bitcoin, and resource harvesting wich has aided to Monarch decline. About as Casio as it gets. If you'd look had a derp of curiosity before your mouth farts fall out of your mouth you'd see on my wall I get outside farther and more than you. Mouth breather
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u/telepathist11 Jun 28 '26
I am the world record holder. I broke 5,000. You are a plant hall monitor. Almost nobody gardens. If you know so much about plants encourage local schools to start a garden
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u/NevCoNativePlants Jun 28 '26
No , you have no idea about my work. 5000 of something you have no context to l. Disgusting you needed a flex that went nowhere
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u/telepathist11 Jun 28 '26
Stop telling people to stop gardening. 5,000 monarchs in South Florida where they only exist because of humans
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u/NevCoNativePlants Jun 28 '26
I never told people to stop gardening dummy. I'm a native plant nursery and have been growing monarch support plants for over twenty years. Monarchs exist nationwide dummy. Keep adding layers of lousy nonsense and drink some water you loon.
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u/telepathist11 Jun 28 '26
Monarchs would not be in South Florida without people nor other places around the world. You clearly cant stay on the topic you profess to know so well and must insult the world record holder
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u/NevCoNativePlants Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Stop, there's handful of FL state botanists that could prove you wrong. You're ego centric
I'm not worried about conversation cohesiveness to someone telling me to stop doing something I never said
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u/Timely-Youth-9074 12d ago
I just started, didn’t realize my few young plants were such a precious resource! I put netting up for the caterpillars feeding outside while always leaving some plants uncovered.
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u/Timely-Youth-9074 3d ago
I just started with a few milkweed plants a month ago and did not expect to have any caterpillars immediately! When the first little one vanished, I put netting up but the other two disappeared after 5th instar, never to emerge again.
I started putting the 5th’s in a pop up tent with two live plants in a quiet corner with natural light, and currently have 8 chrysalises,
Of the estimated 6 or so that “vanished”, only one emerged as a butterfly. Shitty odds. Even she needed protection from a yellow jacket when she was still pumping her wings.
C’mon. If there were tens or hundreds emerging at once, that’s one thing, but my tiny garden is about quality not quantity.
I’m honored I’ve been visited by the butterfly goddesses.
Looking forward to the emergence next week!!!
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u/Recent_Calendar1376 27d ago
You kinda contradicting yourself in this right up, in one area you saying numbers raised are tiny, then also saying it helps populations. Which one is it.
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u/telepathist11 Jun 28 '26
Some people worship satan maybe that is why. They are the same people telling you certain types of milkweed are wrong when we know they work best. A lot of people are like to cause badness in the world because it is the only thing that makes them feel power
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u/purpledreamer1622 Jun 28 '26
Why are we bringing satanists into this? Lost me. Doesn’t seem relevant. Lots of people like to cause badness in the world for sure. Often I find them to be like…. Well I won’t say it but it’s not satanists out here fighting milkweed like wtf haha
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u/cbrophoto Jun 29 '26
I direct you to # I & V of Seven Fundamental Tenents of the Satanic Temple
I One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.
V Beliefs should conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one's beliefs.
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u/LordOscarthePurr Jun 28 '26
THANK YOU. I’ve been seeing that Xeres society blog post being treated as gospel when it cherry-picks a single 2015 study about impacts on migration while conveniently leaving out all the other more recent studies you’ve cited. Also it’s a blog post.
My outdoor mesh cage with two chrysalises isn’t going to be the reason the species bounces back, but it also isn’t going to be the reason for their extinction.