Millions of butterflies killed by freak storm
By Ronald Buchanan in Mexico City
(Filed: 13/02/2002)

HUNDREDS of millions of monarch butterflies have died in a freak snowstorm in the Mexican mountains, where they spend each winter after a journey of up to 3,000 miles, scientists reported yesterday.


American and Mexican researchers estimated that as many as 270 million frozen butterfly bodies littered the ground after the storm last month in their pine forest havens west of Mexico City.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Dr Lincoln Brower, an American biologist who has followed the migration for 25 years.

The annual flight of the monarchs from as far north of Canada is regarded as one of the great migrations of the natural world.

They descend on the forests in great orange clouds each November.

Because their arrival coincides with Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations, many villagers believe that the butterflies represent the spirit of their ancestors.