- Monarch butterflies can get a parasite.
- The parasite can make them weak.
- Higher temperatures may make them more vulnerable.
- Infections have more than tripled since 2002.
- People plant milkweed to help monarchs.
- Many people plant nonnative tropical milkweed.
- Tropical milkweed can grow all year.
- This can cause monarchs to delay migration.
- When butterflies stay, parasites get more time to spread.
- Warmer temperatures can reduce milkweed protection.
Difficult words
- parasite — organism that lives on another animalparasites
- vulnerable — easy to be harmed or hurt
- infection — disease caused by a germ or parasiteInfections
- milkweed — a plant that monarchs use for food
- migration — seasonal movement from one place to another
- tropical — from warm regions near the equator
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen a monarch butterfly?
- Would you plant milkweed to help monarchs?
- Do any plants grow all year where you live?
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