We've all felt that warm tingle, that joy, as we glimpse the beautiful and mysterious Monarch Butterfly. The creature is among one of the most unique, and the most dearly treasured in North America. However, there has been countless stories about the endangerment of these irreplaceable insects.Temperature change, deforestation, these have all be named sources of the Monarch downfall. We've tried to help the species as much as possible, for we've realized wholly our part in their peril. However, as of late, another source in their endangerment has arisen.Every year, thousands of Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico, for reasons not fully understood, and make their habitat in oyamel trees. This has gone on for ages, virtually uninterrupted by nature; only human error.
Now, however, nature has begun to 'turn on itself'. A small beetle, native to the same areas that Monarchs fly to each year, has become quite the problem.These above mentioned beetles are tree-eaters, who feed on the very same trees that Monarchs nest in. This could be problematic. The number of trees to be effected is not yet know, but if the number reaches very high, the butterflies could be in trouble.Officials in Mexico are now being asked to use natural treatments to get rid of the beetles in the area. This treatment would somehow have to be safe for the butterflies as well, and here in lies the problem.Personally, though I love butterflies...I tend to wonder why people feel they must interfere in this matter. This is nature. This is how things work; some species, if they are too dependent upon a food or shelter source, or are simply too weak, will be destroyed. I think, though it would be nice to help the butterflies, killing the beetles out in nature, for simply doing what they should be, is wrong.
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