Response to Davis: Choosing relevant evidence to assess monarch population trends

Abstract

We recently reported in this journal that the abundance of the migratory population of monarch butterflies is declining (Brower , 2011). Davis (Davis, 2011) subsequently challenged our conclusion. Here, we provide further information about the increasing loss of larval habitat and how it may be contributing to the decline. We also point out that Davis's census data were obtained from peripheral monarch populations minimally influenced by the changes in agriculture and development that have affected the larger Midwestern monarch population. Therefore, the data cited by Davis are not representative of the overall monarch population. © 2011 The Authors. Insect Conservation and Diversity © 2011 The Royal Entomological Society.