The monarch butterfly will have to wait longer to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. Credit: AP FILE - In this June 2, 2019, file photo, a fresh monarch butterfly rests on a Swedish Ivy plant soon after emerging in Washington. Author: JOHN FLESHER (AP Environmental Writer) Published: 1:12 PM EST December 15, 2020 Updated: 1:12 PM EST December 15, 2020 TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Federal officials on Tuesday declared the monarch butterfly “a candidate” for threatened or endangered status, but said no action would be taken for several years because of the many other species waiting for that designation. Environmentalists said delaying that long could spell disaster for the beloved black-and-orange butterfly, once a common sight in backyard gardens, meadows and other landscapes now seeing its population dwindling.