The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is synonymous with Kiwi summers, but experts are concerned the iconic orange insect has failed to return to NZ gardens in the usual numbers this year.
Butterfly researchers are gathering in Auckland next month to figure out what has happened to the population of native butterflies usually seen en masse nationwide. "We've heard from many monarch lovers in Canterbury and Otago that the monarchs haven't returned this summer - and it's something that's got us baffled," says Jacqui Knight, secretary of the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust. "Monarchs are an indicator species, telling us a lot about how other insects are going, and this is something to watch closely as we need our insects." The conference, at Unitech on March 16 and 17, will also discuss some of New Zealand's less visible species and ways they can be encouraged into an urban garden.
Source: The Australian, 28 February 2013
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/iconic-monarch-butte…
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