Butterflies are not only source of beauty to our sorrounding but agents of cross pollination. These beautiful creatures help in the continuity of nature and therefore an important creature in the Kingdom Animalia. Many children songs have been sung about butterflies, i have never heard one sung about hyena, have you? That doesn't they are not useful in the food chain.

Even with all the praises, some butterflies species are in extinction. A research done by The National Geography in 2018 and published by Carrie Arnold shows a drop by 86%,  the number of West-coast monarchs spending the winter in California and a drop by 15% East monarchs spending winter in Mexico. The migration pattern has been attributed to increased toxicity in milkweed, the only food monarch catterpillars feed on.  

What causes toxicity in milkweed? One may ask. Climate changes including increased levels of carbondioxide in the atmosphere may be the main source of milkweed toxicty. Moreover high temperatures, an impact of global warming can be a hindrance to the monarch butterflies. 

For us to continue witnessing the beauty of butterflies, we should lead in environmental education and activism. Let us all rise to the occassion and promote the use of renewable energy, non-leaded fuels and deforestation. Together we can reduce the impacts of climate change on the environment.

Reference: https://www.google.com/amp/s/api.nationalgeographic.com/distribution/public/amp/animals/2018/12/monarch-butterflies-risk-extinction-climate-change