In the 1980s, millions of western monarchs gathered in trees from northern California down to western Mexico. Now, their wintering sites are mostly on California’s central coast.
Western monarch butterflies travel south from the Pacific Northwest to California each winter. They return to the same places and even the same trees, where they gather. The monarchs usually arrive in California at the beginning of November. They spread across the country once warmer weather arrives in March.
The western monarch butterfly population has decreased by more than 99 percent since the 1980s. Another monarch population on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains travels from southern Canada and the northeastern US to spend the winter in western Mexico. Scientists estimate the monarch population in the eastern US has fallen about 80 percent since the mid-1990s.
Monarchs from across the West migrate (迁徙) yearly to about 100 wintering sites along central California’s Pacific coast. One of the best-known wintering places is the Monarch Grove Sanctuary in the city of Pacific Grove.
Pacific Grove, California, known as “Butterfly Town, USA”, has worked for years to help the decreasing monarch population. The city holds a parade to celebrate the butterflies every October. It also bans human interference with the monarchs. The crime carries a $ 1,000 fine.
In 2020, no monarchs appeared in Pacific Grove. But in 2021, an early count found that more than 13,000 of the insects had moved in.
Scientists do not know why the population increased in 2021. But Jepsen, director of Endangered Species at Xerces Society, said it is likely a combination of reasons, including better conditions on their breeding grounds. The non-profit science group Xerces Society carries out the official study every year. Volunteer counters have reported the presence of as many as 50,000 monarchs in the last few weeks.
Monarch butterflies lack legal protection that could keep their territory from being destroyed. Last year, the butterflies were denied federal protection. But the insects are now among the candidates for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act.
12. What is the text mainly about?
A.Introducing California’s central coast. |
B.Revealing the migration and quantity change of monarchs. |
C.Attracting more visitors to Pacific Grove in California. |
D.Introducing the reason for western monarchs’ migration. |
13. Which word can describe the reason for the sudden rise of monarchs in 2021?
A.Apparent. | B.Unique. | C.Multiple. | D.Mysterious. |
14. What does the underlined word “interference” in paragraph 5 probably mean?
A.Disturbance. | B.Commitment. | C.Adaptation. | D.Consumption. |
15. What is the purpose of the last paragraph?
A.To provide readers with more interesting information. |
B.To urge to add more animals into the list of endangered species. |
C.To express the author’s satisfaction with protective measures. |
D.To introduce the development of legal basis for protecting Monarch butterflies. |