On its News Watch blog, the National Geographic Society is tracking the research of Dr. Stephen B. Malcom, a professor at Western Michigan University and a chemical ecologist.
The blog reports Malcom has been studying monarch butterflies in the field for 28 years, recently with support from National Geographic's Committee for Research and Exploration.
The blog entry continues in a question and answer format:
Excerpt:
Q: What kinds of hurdles do these migrating insects face throughout their range, and are they struggling as a species?
Monarchs do not appear to be struggling as a species because they have a worldwide distribution, but they are confronted by a series of hurdles throughout their life histories. These include both legal and illegal forestry activities in Mexico at the overwintering locations and intensive agriculture in the U.S., Canada and northern Mexico, where monarchs are impacted by both genetically modified crops and the use of insecticides and herbicides.
For the complete interview, please read the
rest of the post.
Source: National Geographic Society News Watch Blog
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