Migrating monarchs move through Omaha
Ever wonder how monarch butterflies got their name? According to a professor at Creighton University, it came from the insect’s beauty.
“It's the king of butterflies, it's the monarch,” said Dr. Ted Burk, a biology professor at Creighton University.
They are beautiful insects, but experts say their reign was once in jeopardy after a drastic decline in population.
“In this one very small area in Mexico, smaller than half the size of Creighton's campus, there were 900 million,” said Burk
That was 20 years ago. Five years ago, that number was all the way down to 30 million.
“They’re under a lot of threats from pesticides and from habitat loss,” said Burk.
Gardens like the ones found on Creighton’s campus are making a difference, and according to Burk, so can you.
“People that have flowers in their yards are really doing a big benefit for them,” said Burk.
Monarchs are pollinators, and they need a constant food source during their 2,000-mile migration from North America to Mexico each year.
This year it's estimated 250 million butterflies will find their way to the mountains west of Mexico City, spanning just 12 acres.
“It's got the shape of a forest, but instead of being green -- that whole forest is orange,” said Burk.
Small stickers, or tagging, allows experts to track the population and migration patterns of the monarchs. Each sticker has a unique code that recorded when it’s applied and if it’s found later.
The sticker doesn’t harm the butterfly. In fact, Burk said the insect most likely doesn’t know it’s there.
“It would be like a person carrying around a purse,” said Burk.
Monarchs should stay around the metro for the next two or three weeks. Then they’ll move farther south ahead of cooler weather.
There are a few events around town this weekend to try out monarch tagging. The events will take place Saturday at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, and Sunday at the Wildlife Safari Park. Both events run from 1 to 3 p.m.