(KDLM/MNN) – The Minnesota State Butterfly, the Monarch is now listed as endangered because of its fast dwindling population in North America.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature announced the designation last week for the orange-and-black monarch butterflies. The group estimates that populations have declined between 22% and 72% over a decade.
The monarch was adopted as the state butterfly in 2000. About four generations of monarchs are born in Minnesota each summer and live roughly four weeks. Monarch caterpillars appear to feed exclusively on milkweed, which grows throughout Minnesota.
Latest News
This Art-A-Whirl city clay sculpture needs your help
Art-A-Whirl, the weekend-long art crawl May 15-17, is filled with hundreds of hands-on experiences in northeast Minneapolis. At Aldo Moroni Studios, whirlers can help fill up a mountainous city with miniature clay houses and creatures.
9m ago
Ask a Bookseller: 'The Left and the Lucky' by Willy Vlautin
Diane Rineer of Rediscovered Bookshop in Boise, Idaho, suggests the novel, "The Left and the Lucky," by Willy Vlautin.
9m ago
Most Minnesota drinking water systems met standards
Water systems face ongoing challenges, including replacing lead pipes, preparing for climate change and meeting new federal limits on "forever chemicals."
9m ago
App allows NE Minnesota transit users to book rides
The new app allows more than a half million users of Arrowhead Transit in northeast Minnesota to book trips on their phones and track buses in real time.
2h ago
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!