Is the Monarch a Threatened Species or an Endangered Species?

What could each of these mean for Illinois farmers?

By December 4, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to publish guidance on the listing status of the monarch butterfly. They will determine if the monarch falls within an endangered species or threatened species category, with both having specific differences that will influence how the final rule impacts farmers in Illinois and the management decisions they make. 

If the monarch butterfly is found to be a threatened species, experts believe conditions are favorable to see the butterfly become endangered in the foreseeable future. Rulings will be put in place to protect the species. However, in this case, the rules written to protect the butterfly may have allowances, modifications, or exemptions to balance conservation efforts with economic benefits. 

If the monarch butterfly is found to be an endangered species, experts believe that the butterfly is actively in danger of extinction in the near future. The rules developed in this instance will be stricter and activities more regulated in order to increase monarch populations. 

Once the USFWS releases a proposed rule for the protection of the monarch butterfly, a 60-day public comment period will commence. During this time, your IL Corn Growers Association and National Corn Growers Association will submit comments; comments are likely to indicate opportunities to balance conservation and economic factors. Especially if the finding is that the monarch is a threatened species, these comments will be important as there is more opportunity to nuance the regulations that will protect the butterfly. 

Regardless of the determinations happening in the next 30 days or the final rules to come, any necessary actions won’t take effect until early 2026. 

If interested in learning more, you may wish to review these articles from Farmers For Monarchs that dive deeper into the rulemaking process and what each finding could mean for farmers. 

• Monarchs: ESA Listing Consideration History
• Monarchs: 4d Rule & Critical Habitat Explained
• Monarchs: Farmers comments critical for future potential rules