FAIRMONT- On July 21 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the migratory monarch butterfly as an endangered species. While it should be noted that this designation is different from the one created by the 1973 Endangered Species Act, it still signifies that monarch populations are in dramatic decline.

In a press release the IUCN stated monarch populations have shrank between 22 and 72 percent in the past decade. The organization also cited habitat destruction, pesticide use and harsher weather conditions as primary causes of the species’ population decline.

While the monarch butterfly is one familiar example of an at risk insect species, these factors are influencing insect species across North America.

“The monarch butterfly is now listed as an endangered species, but it’s not the only native insect that’s experiencing a decline in population. It’s due to a variety of factors. Number one is typically a loss of habitat,” said Jesse Walters, Outreach Coordinator for the Martin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

While insect habitat loss is a risk to insects around the world, there are steps individuals, landowners and community organizations can take which have significant impacts on local populations.

“The best way a person could help the monarch butterfly and other pollinator species would be to try to give habitat back; converting crop land, converting your lawn, or converting unused space back into a native prairie,” said Walters.

Planting more native species provides more resources for monarch populations across their lifespans. The most important plant for monarchs is milkweed on which monarchs lay eggs and mature as caterpillars.

“(Monarchs) almost exclusively lay their eggs on milkweed and their larva exclusively feed on milkweed, so if there was no more milkweed the larva of the monarch butterfly would not survive. It would not have a food source and that would end the species altogether. The more milkweed we can provide, that provides more nesting habitat for the monarch and more food for the monarch larva,” said Walters.

After caterpillars have undergone metamorphosis milkweed nectar can also be a food source for adult monarchs. Milkweed seeds can be found online or in stores, but it’s important to plant a local variety such as common milkweed instead of a non-native plant.

Jake Koenig is Midwest Habitat Coordinator at Monarch Joint Venture, a national nonprofit organization which facilitates collaboration between public and private entities in the interest of conserving monarch butterflies.

“Typically there’s a variety of native milkweeds wherever you’re located throughout the U.S. that you can choose from. We really recommend people try not to plant exotic milkweeds like tropical milkweed, which is unfortunately a very available species for folks,” said Koenig.

While milkweed is essential for monarch reproduction, it’s toxic to many other insects and native varieties cannot sustain their populations throughout the year.

“I think everybody is understanding the monarch needs milkweed, however they don’t realize they also need high quality native nectar plants,” said Koenig.

Having a wider variety of plants can provide a reliant food source for more insects, and having plants which bloom at different times allow monarchs to have a steady supply of food throughout the year.

“This fall as they begin their migration it’s important you have within your seed mix multiple species that are blooming late into the year, September or October even, because that’s when monarchs are flying back to Mexico,” said Walters.

In gardens that primarily produce fruits and vegetables, devoting a section to native flowers can also benefit food-producing plants.

“You’re going to have your vegetable garden and if you plant next to it a native plot of flowers, that’s going to attract more insects which are in turn going to forage on the nectar your (other) plants are providing which is going to cross-pollinate and help them produce better (vegetables) for you as well,” said Walters.

Both Martin SWCD and Monarch Joint Venture have resources to provide more information and assistance regarding insect conservation. Martin SWCD can be contacted at 507-235-6680. Monarch Joint Venture can be contacted at 651-222-7631, or its pollinator help desk can be found at 337-HABITAT.