Several groups have teamed up in Missouri to help save the monarch butterfly, which lays eggs on the milkweed plant. (Charles Lindsey/cskphoto.net)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Scientists analyzing data collected on monarch butterflies got a bit of good news recently. There were more of the butterflies wintering in Mexico than anticipated.



But Brice Semmens, assistant professor at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, says the monarch isn't "out of the woods," by far. He says 85 percent of the monarch population has disappeared and the species could become extinct in the next 10 to 20 years.



Monarchs rely on milkweed to reproduce, and Semmens says we've gotten too good at eradicating weeds, which destroys their habitat. He says the Midwest plays a crucial role in whether the monarch survives.



"If you look at where corn is grown, and where monarchs are in terms of density, there's almost perfect overlap," he explains. "It really is that sort of corn-breeding ground, that really fertile Midwestern ground, and it's where we need to get milkweed back, in order to recover the monarchs."



Monarchs can only reproduce or lay eggs on milkweed, he explains.



The Missouri Department of Conservation is working with groups like Missourians for Monarchs and the Corn and Soybean associations to reintroduce milkweed in some areas. One of the strategies is to convince homeowners to plant milkweed in their yards to provide a breeding area for the monarchs.



Semmens says if everyone who cares about the monarch planted some milkweed, it could save them.



"You only have one garden, but if we collectively are doing it, that results in a lot of potential monarch breeding habitat, even in our urban areas," he says.



Many other species of insects use milkweed as their main food source. And, although it's considered a weed, Semmens notes the plant can be beautiful – and to the monarch butterfly, it is crucial.



"They only can reproduce or lay eggs on milkweed, and no other plant," he stresses. "So, it really doesn't matter if you're in Maryland or in Arkansas, or if you're in Indiana - milkweed is the thing that they need in order to reproduce."



Common milkweed grows up to six feet tall. It has large, broad leaves, usually four to ten inches long, sometimes with red veins. It is often found along roadsides and in ditches.



