The number of monarch butterflies spending winter in the western U.S. dropped dramatically this year, despite moves to extend protections for the insect.

The number of monarch butterflies spending the winter in the western United States dropped dramatically this year even as federal officials move to extend protections for the beloved pollinator.

The number of monarch butterflies in California is in sharp decline this year. This is the second-lowest population recording since tracking began in 1997. Biologists say record-high late summer temperatures and drought in the West likely contributed to the dropoff.

The results of the 28 annual mid-season Western Monarch Count have been released: only 9,119 of the butterflies were counted during the time the overwintering population is usually at its peak. This represents the second-lowest number since the count began,

The Western population of the monarch butterfly has declined to a near-record low with fewer than 10,000 found living in California this winter, a foreboding sign for the future of the beloved black-and-orange insect.

The Western population of the monarch butterfly has reached the second-lowest level recorded since tracking began nearly three decades ago.

Scientists are grappling with a stark population decline of the western monarch butterfly after the species’ numbers hit a near all-time low.

The number of monarch butterflies spending the winter in the western United States has dropped to its second-lowest mark in nearly three decades as pesticides, diminishing habitat and climate change take their toll on the beloved pollinator.