<\/span><\/h3>\nClimate change:<\/strong> There are many reasons monarch butterflies are endangered, and one reason is climate change. As the Earth\u2019s temperature continues to increase, the warmer weather is not as suitable for monarchs, and they are less able to migrate to colder climates as they have done in the past.<\/p>\nParasites:<\/strong> Monarch butterflies are also at risk from parasites and diseases that can kill them. (A few summer ago in our garden, some insect killed several of our caterpillars on our milkweed plants!) And according to National Geographic, \u201cthe biggest danger to monarchs is a tiny parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) that is spread by infected butterflies.\u201d This parasite can cause the wings of monarchs to become deformed and makes them less able to fly.<\/p>\nIllegal Trade:<\/strong>\u00a0Illegal trade is also a major threat to monarch butterflies. As stated by the World Wildlife Fund, \u201cmillions of Monarchs are illegally collected every year and traded across borders for use in traditional medicines, as wedding decorations, or placed in children\u2019s gardens as butterfly pets. If this trend continues, it could lead to the extinction of monarch butterflies within a few decades.<\/span><\/p>\nPesticides:<\/strong> Even though some pesticides that emit chemicals into the environment may not directly affect the extinction of monarch butterflies, they do play a significant role in population decline. According to the World Wildlife Fund, \u201cwhen a pesticide is sprayed, a certain amount of the chemical enters the environment and persists for long periods of time. Due to this, plants and animals can absorb them through their root system or via leaves.\u201d This means that monarchs are at risk because they drink water from milkweed plants.<\/p>\nUV Radiation:<\/strong> UV radiation is another factor that is harming monarch butterflies. As explained by National Geographic, \u201cthe thinning of the ozone layer allows more harmful UV radiation to reach the earth and damage the wings of Monarchs and their larvae.\u201d<\/p>\nAir Pollution:<\/strong> Another reason why monarch butterflies are endangered is because of air pollution. As stated by National Geographic, \u201cRural populations in North America often burn crop residue.\u201d This releases smoke (or smog) containing high amounts of ozone). Ozone enters through cracks in butterfly wings and can cause mortality rates to increase dramatically while butterflies are flying above urban areas.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n