Since the beginning of June, in Pachuca, capital of the state of Hidalgo, and other municipalities of the entity, the unusual presence of the Crimson Patch butterfly has been noted, which is often confused by some with the Monarch butterfly. The main hypothesis of its arrival in that area is attributed to the lack of water and forest fires in its original habitat.
The Pachuca Wildlife Rehabilitation Unit reported, through its Facebook account: “given the unusual sighting of many butterflies in our city, we can tell you that they are native butterflies of Mexico and that they help with pollination.”
In addition, they indicated: “one hypothesis of their unusual presence is due to the lack of water, so if it is within your possibilities, put water in a small container near plants and flowers, do so.”
For her part, Beatriz Cruz Gómez, Secretary of the Environment of Pachuca, told the newspaper Milenio that the presence of this butterfly in areas that are not its habitat is due to forest fires in the Sierra Otomi-Tepehua region, which have caused the displacement of fauna.
The official also asked the population to avoid touching and capturing the butterflies, and to place pollinators so that they can feed themselves, as well as water troughs, so that they can hydrate themselves, of course, being careful and putting stones in them so that they land on them and do not drown.
On social networks, several users have shared videos of how they try to help insects of this species, as did @olgy1962, who put a water trough.
The species has been seen in the municipalities of Mineral de la Reforma, Metztitlán, Actopan, Atotonilco, El Arenal, Tepatepec, Tulancingo and Huasca de Ocampo. User @perez65890 shared images of butterflies he found in Huauchinango and Xicotepec, one of the specimens had broken wings.
Some people have not followed the authorities’ instructions not to touch the butterflies, because in their eagerness to help them they tend to touch them, which is harmful given their extreme fragility.
People in Mexico City like user @lutiktok1975, have recorded some specimens. And even in the Huasteca Potosina some exhausted and thirsty butterflies have also been seen.
Source: es-us.noticias.yahoo
