WESTMINSTER, Colo. March 6, 2024 — A new study published today in Science reveals a
stark decline in butterfly populations across the United States, with an overall 22% drop in
abundance between 2000 and 2020 across the studied butterfly species. As a leader in
invertebrate research, conservation, and education, Butterfly Pavilion played a critical role in
this research, contributing data from its Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network and
collaborating with nearly two dozen scientists in the Status of Butterflies in the United
States working group. This study underscores the urgent need for pollinator conservation, a
mission central to Butterfly Pavilion’s ongoing efforts.

“This study confirms what we at Butterfly Pavilion have long recognized—many butterfly
species are in trouble, and immediate conservation action is needed,” said Shiran
Hershcovich, Senior Lepidopterist Manager at Butterfly Pavilion and one of the authors of
the paper. “By contributing to this research, we are helping to build the scientific
foundation necessary to protect these delicate species and the ecosystems they sustain.”
The study, which is the most comprehensive assessment of U.S. butterfly populations to
date, found that in 20 years, we’ve lost 20% of our North American butterflies. Ten times as
many butterfly species are declining than are increasing, with 107 species having lost more
than 50% of their populations and 22 species declining by over 90%. That means that for
every five butterflies seen 20 years ago, now there are only four.

“Pollinators like butterflies are critical to our environment, our food systems, and global
biodiversity,” said Nathalie Brochu, Interim CEO of Butterfly Pavilion. “Participating in this
vital research reinforces Butterfly Pavilion’s mission to protect invertebrates through
science, conservation, and education. We hope these findings inspire people to take
action—whether by planting pollinator-friendly gardens, reducing pesticide use, or
supporting our habitat restoration efforts.”

The research highlights habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change as primary drivers of
these declines, but it also points to solutions. By providing host plants, nectar sources, and
pesticide-free habitats, communities and conservationists can help stabilize and rebuild
butterfly populations. They can also support pollinators through Butterfly Pavilion’s
Pollinator Awareness through Conservation and Education initiative (PACE) by visiting
https://butterflies.org/research-and-conserve/protecting-pollinators/ and participating in
programs such as butterfly monitoring, which is hosting trainings this spring for
prospective community scientists.

Butterfly Pavilion continues to lead efforts in butterfly conservation through habitat
restoration projects, community science programs, education, and scientific research. As a
contributor to this study, Butterfly Pavilion remains committed to advancing conservation
solutions that will help protect these species for future generations