Scientists ready to save monarch butterflies

FARGO, N.D. (UPI) — In a significant step towards conservation, scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service in Fargo have announced their readiness to repopulate the endangered monarch butterfly. With a focus on preventing rapid extinction, researchers have developed the first cryopreservation protocol for storing monarch butterfly germ plasm, specifically sperm cells. This groundbreaking technique allows for the long-term preservation of viable sperm, which could be crucial for future breeding efforts. Courtney Grula, a scientist involved in the project, highlighted that this study marks the first instance of extracting semen from the male reproductive tract in insects, a method commonly used in mammals. The preserved samples remain intact and viable post-cryopreservation, providing a potential lifeline for the species in the event of significant population decline. Researchers are also exploring artificial insemination techniques using these cryopreserved sperm cells to enhance breeding efforts. The monarch butterfly population has faced dramatic declines, particularly between 1996 and 2014, although numbers have stabilized in recent years. Ongoing threats, including climate change and habitat loss, continue to jeopardize these vital pollinators. Grula encourages public involvement by planting common milkweed, essential for monarchs' reproductive cycles. In addition to their work with monarchs, researchers are sharing cryopreservation techniques with breeders at the San Diego Zoo and applying the methods to other endangered species, such as the Sacramento checkerspot butterfly. The conservation of monarch habitats across North America is critical to preserving their unique migratory patterns, which connect Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.