Temperature mitigator for these lepidopterans

The survival of the monarch butterfly is closely linked to the health status of the fir forests within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (RBMM) because their dense canopies allow the lepidopterans to create a microclimate to protect themselves during their stay in Mexico from November to March of each year.

A question we all ask ourselves is why do butterflies specifically go to oyamel sites? This was discovered by ecologist Lincoln Brower, who put sensors on trees and discovered that during the day, the temperature under the trees is 5 degrees colder than outside; while at night it is 5 degrees warmer than outsideexplained Cuauhtémoc Sáenz-Romero, from the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo in Mexico.

The scientist mentioned that during winter, monarch butterflies need cold temperatures, but not extreme ones, The crown of the fir tree works as a temperature buffer, creating a humid and temperate environment.

But not only that: it also protects them from wind and rain. If the butterfly gets wet and the thermometer drops below zero degrees, it freezes, ice forms on its wings and it dies..

In the case of high temperatures, coniferous trees also provide a suitable environment for them. Coming from Canada, they have a good amount of fat on their body, but if they are exposed to high temperatures, that makes them more active; Consequently, they spend their reserves and when they return, they would not be able to return home..

For fir trees to fulfill their function, they need to be in good health. A condition that is difficult in the face of the effects of climate change, since when they face drought stress, they begin to lose foliage and, with it, the ability to protect the monarch butterfly.

Sáenz-Romero said that within the Biosphere Reserve, the mortality of butterflies due to winter storms is associated with the decline of trees. In 2016, for example, there was a frozen air event, and where the most deaths were in an area where fir thinning was allowed years ago.

Extremely cold and humid temperatures kill butterflies, we need healthy forests so they have protection.