▲ Changes in temperatures affect hibernation and reproduction of the lopidoptera.Darkroom Photo
Daniel González Delgadillo
La Jornada Newspaper
Monday, January 27, 2025, p. 17
The effects of climate change represent a great threat to the life cycles of the monarch butterfly, such as migration, hibernation or reproduction, since it is a species very sensitive to temperatures and natural phenomena existing in the environment, he noted. the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.
The agency announced in a report that, for example, it has been discovered that exposure to cold temperatures in hibernation sites is the key factor in determining a change in the direction of migration from south to north in butterflies.
That suggests that warmer climates at roosting and roosting sites could significantly modify or even prevent lepidopterans’ return trip north in spring, he added.
In addition, he explained that unseasonable cold episodes during the fall could have serious consequences on the migration of these insects towards the south.
The Bonn Convention noted that temperatures in hibernation sites would significantly modify or even prevent the return of butterflies to the north in spring. This suggests, he explained, that unseasonable cold periods during the fall would have consequences on movement towards the south.
He explained that high temperatures – which are out of the norm – hamper the growth and quality of milkweed, a species on which the caterpillars feed.
Likewise, it is believed that if the plant’s distribution area expands beyond the hibernation-reproduction zones, procreation activity will decrease, so they would have to travel longer distances and the time they spend in the reproduction zones would reduce. .
Increased rainfall has been found to reduce the amount of time they spend laying their eggs. Conversely, more frequent droughts could have a negative impact on milkweed abundance.
