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Monarch butterflies, are they more uncommon?

In 2000 we first saw a monarch butterfly almost a couple of months ago at our 640 acre
prairie restoration / reconstruction project in Iowa County, Iowa.  Since then, during 6
to 12 hour visits, 2 to 3 times a week, we have never seen more than 3 in a day.  Most
often we spot only 1 individual; sometimes none are seen.  If memory serves (we did not
keep records last year and haven't really this year), we saw *many* more monarchs at all
times in the summer of 1999.  I of course am not counting the migration when large numbers
were seen in fall 1999.

Is this anyone else's experience?

We wonder if the increased planting of GMO crops (esp. Bt corn, etc) may be contributing
to this seeming decline of monarchs?  Corn is not yet pollinating in our area, so its
pollen, if Bt added, can't yet be effecting this year's cohort of larvae.  Was there some
other disaster to the south of us which has reduced the numbers of returning adults?

Sandy Rhodes

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