Researchers are Using the World's Largest Butterfly Collection to Learn About and Help Protect These Fragile Insects

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The migratory Monarch butterfly is under threat. It's been placed on the endangered species list by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which is the world's leading authority on the status of biological diversity. In this episode, Jaret Daniels, curator at the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity at the Florida Museum of Natural History, discusses UF’s focus on butterfly conservation and research. Produced by Nicci Brown, Brooke Adams, Emma Richards and James L. Sullivan. Original music by Daniel Townsend, a doctoral candidate in music composition in the College of the Arts.

Nicci Brown: They're a source of delight to many of us, but the migratory Monarch butterfly is under threat. It's been placed on the endangered species list by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which is the world's leading authority on the status of biological diversity.

Read more at: University of Florida

There are 12 million butterflies in the collection at the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity at the University of Florida. (Photo Credit: University of Florida)