As the world warms, monarch butterflies, ordinarily considered a resilient species for its short lifespan and high reproduction, face serious threats. For one, their heavy reliance on milkweed has proved a weakness as the plant dwindles across the monarch’s territory due to heat. Also, the monarch is prompted by temperature shifts to mate, migrate, or hibernate. Seasons experiencing uncharacteristic temp swings act as false starts for monarchs, exposing them to environments they were not prepared for.