Each autumn, millions of monarch butterflies undertake a remarkable migration from southern Canada and the United States to forests in Michoacán, Mexico, where they roost in dense clusters that can weigh down tree branches. This annual phenomenon has drawn both awe and concern from scientists and conservationists alike.

Peter Kuper, a cartoonist who encountered the monarchs during a 2007 visit, has long been inspired by their journey. His fascination with the butterflies is now showcased in “Monarch’s Journey,” a new exhibition at New York’s American Museum of Natural History. The immersive display features large-scale drawings of monarchs and their hazardous migration routes, culminating in a vivid depiction of hundreds of butterflies fluttering through a Mexican forest. Projected footage enhances the experience by animating the images of the insects in flight.

Kuper and museum collaborators present monarch butterflies as emblematic of the billions of insects that play crucial roles in ecosystems worldwide. Monarchs, which weigh less than a paper clip, can travel up to 3,000 miles during their migration, with some covering as much as 320 miles in a single day. Despite their resilience, these delicate insects face significant threats largely driven by human activities, including habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and environmental degradation from industries such as fossil fuels.

Jessica Ware, chair of invertebrate zoology at the museum and a partner in developing the exhibition, emphasized the precarious state of monarch populations. Since the 1990s, the eastern monarch population has declined by approximately 80%, dropping from an estimated 700 million butterflies overwintering in Mexico. Climate-related factors such as drought, wildfires, and extreme weather events, alongside deforestation and widespread pesticide application, have contributed to the decline.

According to Ware, while the situation is concerning, there is reason for cautious optimism. Recent data released in March indicated a 64% increase in monarch numbers compared to the previous year, suggesting that conservation efforts can yield tangible results. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed, making the preservation and planting of native milkweed species critical to supporting their recovery. Both Kuper and Ware encourage individuals to plant more milkweed than they might initially assume, noting the caterpillars’ voracious appetites.

The exhibition further highlights the broader importance of pollinators like monarchs, which contribute significantly to ecosystems and human economies. Pollinators support approximately $34 billion annually in the U.S. economy by facilitating the growth of various crops, including staples such as coffee and chocolate. Insects also provide essential ecological services like waste decomposition, soil aeration, and sustaining food webs. Ware stressed that the survival of many forms of life depends on insects, calling them indispensable to the continuation of life on Earth.

Through this exhibition, Kuper and Ware aim not only to celebrate the monarchs’ spectacular migration but also to raise awareness of the vital roles insects play—and the urgent need to protect them. The message underscores the shared responsibility to preserve these creatures, which, despite their small size, have outsized impacts on the environment and human well-being.