In 2018, scientists reported dramatic losses in populations of one of North America’s most charismatic insects, the Monarch butterfly, with an estimated 14.8 percent decline of Eastern Monarchs and a precipitous 86% percent 1-year decline in Western Monarchs. While Monarchs are known for seasonal fluctuations in their numbers, this week we speak with Monarch researcher Dr. Anurag Agrawal of Cornell University to learn more.

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