Number of butterflies decreasing across U.S.
Number of butterflies decreasing across U.S.
From 2000 to 2020, there was a 22% decrease nationwide in butterflies. A Michigan State University study released Monday reveals that butterfly populations in the Midwest are dwindling even faster, and no butterfly species has increased in that region in the last three decades. Jericka Duncan reports.
Read the full article on CBS US
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The CBS US article is mostly accurate, reporting on the decline of butterfly populations in the US. The claim of a 22% decrease nationwide from 2000 to 2020 is supported by multiple sources. The article exhibits a slight negative slant due to its focus on decline without exploring potential counter-trends or alternative perspectives.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: From 2000 to 2020, there was a 22% decrease nationwide in butterflies.
- Verification Source #1: States that the change in the total number of butterflies between 2000 and 2020 was driven by the rapid decline of many individual species.
- Verification Source #2: States that butterfly numbers have fallen by nearly a quarter since 2000.
- Verification Source #5: States that over the past 20 years the US butterfly population has declined 22%.
- Assessment: Supported. Multiple sources confirm the 22% decrease.
- Claim: A Michigan State University study released Monday reveals that butterfly populations in the Midwest are dwindling even faster, and no butterfly species has increased in that region in the last three decades.
- Verification Source #1: Source does not specifically mention Michigan State University or the Midwest region, but it does discuss the decline of butterfly populations across the US.
- Verification Source #2: Source does not specifically mention Michigan State University or the Midwest region, but it does discuss the decline of butterfly populations across the US.
- Verification Source #3: Source does not specifically mention Michigan State University or the Midwest region, but it does discuss the decline of butterfly populations across the US.
- Verification Source #4: Source does not specifically mention Michigan State University or the Midwest region, but it does discuss the decline of butterfly populations across the US.
- Verification Source #5: Source does not specifically mention Michigan State University or the Midwest region, but it does discuss the decline of butterfly populations across the US.
- Assessment: Unverified. While the general trend of decline is supported, the specific claim about Michigan State University, the Midwest, and no species increase is not directly verified by the provided sources. Further research would be needed to confirm this claim.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 5: Over the past 20 years the US butterfly population has declined 22%, a dramatic loss that has scientists concerned.
- Source 2: Butterfly abundance dropped in every part of the country, across a wide variety of species.