Monarch butterfly declines mirror a broader trend of insect losses globally. Insects provide essential ecosystem services—including pollination, pest control, and nutrient cycling—and form the base of many food webs. In economic terms, insect pollination services in the U.S. alone were valued at $34 billion in 2021, and global animal pollination service estimates were between $235-$577 billion.
By Cooperative Research Units
May 11, 2025