Experts believe the premature presence of monarch butterflies this early in the fall could be a sign its dwindling populations are finally increasing.

The first butterflies were seen approaching Mexico earlier than the usual time of year, said Luis Feyo, head of Mexico's nature reserves, He believes this is a sign of the butterflies' increasing populations as they migrate.

Like Us on Facebook

The first butterflies were sighted in Cohuilia near the U.S. border.  The rest of the butterfly population usually arrives in October from the U.S. and Canada where they spend the summer.

In November, the butterflies will finally settle in the mountain forests where they will spend winter, which usually takes place in December.

Unfortunately, the past three years have seen a steady decline in monarch butterfly numbers. Fortunately, Mexico, the U.S. and Canada have already formed conservation groups in an effort to save this species.

In 2013, the butterflies only covered 1.65 acres of pine and fir forests located in the west of Mexico City compared to the 44.5 acres in 1996, the highest ever recorded peak.

Monarch butterfly populations are measured by how many acres of forest they cover during migration since it's an impossible feat to count them one by one.

According to Enrique Lando, head for international affairs of Mexico's Environment Department, a solid plan of action that will help conserve the butterflies will be implemented among the three nations by the end of November.

The plan will consist of creating milkweed-rich areas that will run along the path of the migratory route. This is pivotal for the monarch butterflies' survival because they need to reproduce during the migration so the next generation can finish the entire journey.

Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed leaves but the decline in milkweed numbers is mainly caused by the widespread planting of genetically modified crops that hinders the growth of milkweed plants.

Mexico has already planted a number of milkweed patches along the migratory route. The existence of climate change and illegal logging along with the decline of habitats in North America, however, have made it difficult for the monarch butterfly to survive its perilous journey.

TagsEarly Monarch Butterfly Migration this Fall in U.S. and Mexico; Experts Predict Population Increase, Monarch butterfly, butterflies, monarch butterfly migration, mexico monarch butterflies US, mexico butterflies