Monarch butterflies need milkweed plants to lay their eggs. More than beautiful, monarch butterflies contribute to the health of our planet. While feeding on nectar, they pollinate many types of wildflowers. ... Monarch butterflies are also an important food source for birds, small animals, and other insects.

What would happen if Monarchs went extinct?

Therefore, if monarchs are in trouble because they don't have enough habitat, then many of our other pollinators and wildlife that share their habitat are in trouble as well. ... The declining monarch population parallels other declining pollinator populations, which in turn impacts human food systems.

How do monarch help us?

Benefits to humans

Native monarch and pollinator plants have deep roots and improve water quality by preventing erosion and improving filtration. Additionally, the increased transfer of pollen among plants by pollinators enhances plant growth, thereby helping clean the air, improve soil health, and sequester carbon.