butterflies Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

‘It’s an invasion.’ North America’s tiniest butterfly spotted in Southeastern Washington

By Courtney Flatt October 14, 2022

A Western pygmy blue butterfly sits on a mustard plant. Butterfly watchers have found at least 190 of these butterflies near Richland and the Yakima River, a rare site in Washington.

This particular adventure begins with the search for a bird. However, like many discoveries that venture a bit off course, birder Chris Lindsey found something much more interesting: a Western blue pygmy butterfly. The smallest butterfly in North America.Read More

Monarch Butterflies Born In Captivity Have Trouble Migrating South, Study Says

By NPR News June 24, 2019

Thousands of monarch butterflies gather in the eucalyptus trees at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. CREDIT: GEORGE ROSE/GETTY IMAGES

The monarch population has declined more than 80% in the past 20 years, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering them for the endangered species list. Hobbyists and educators have responded by raising and releasing butterflies. But there are issues, they say, with releasing captive, potentially nonmigratory butterflies into the wild population.Read More

Monarch Butterflies Are Disappearing, But They May Be Saved, Researchers Say

By Max Bartlett November 15, 2017

Monarch butterflies populations are shrinking, with fewer insects migrating every year. CREDIT: PETER MILLER

The western monarch butterfly is disappearing. With its distinct orange-and-black wings, the monarch is one of America’s best-known butterflies. But for the past few decades, their numbers have dropped, threatened by climate change, pesticides and habitat loss.Read More