Butterflies

[Cedarman]

There seems to be many more swallowtail and buckeye butterflies than normal.  They are everywhere.  Is it just a local thing or have others noticed?  The air is just full of them for weeks on end.  Beautiful!!!

[Patty]

We have noticed those plus millions of the little yellow butterflies. (Pyrisitia lisa ??)

The monarchs are thick already this year as well.

Does this mean we have a tough winter this year? The Farmer's Almanac says we will have a hard cold winter, just like last year.  :

[SwampDonkey]

Time to put that Farmer's Almanac away. You read the same thing 10 years ago from there. ;) :D

Not a lot of swallowtails here. I see a few of the black ones and some tiger ones. I have lots of moths though, mostly the non flashy ones with just gray. I think some of them are clothes moths. Many are defoliators. Seen the dreaded spruce budworm up around the Soo and the Sault. Never noticed any at Jeff's BIL's camp, just some bug giving the tamarack a hard life.

I haven't seen a monarch in years, but most of the milkweed around these parts is localized and none of it exists in this particular area. It's mostly in other places where there are wet abandoned fields and ditches. Around here, it's good farm ground so it's always in farm production.

[chain]

We're having quite a drouth here locally, butterflies will readily come in to mud  or watered-down areas. In the recent butterfly movement, I've figured that the cool spell we had with north-easterly breezes that prevailed each day caused a large migrational movement in many species of moths and butterflies. Some late summer hatches could be in a certain 'high cycle' of population also.

But, I'm mostly guessing and trying to study each moth and butterfly that visits our yard, as to what nectar plants that most suit them. Quite a science-hobby for youngsters[and adults]..our grandkids got us hooked! :P

p.s. just to add.. swallowtails feeding heavily upon our periwinkle flowers, the plant known for its drouth resistance.

[Burlkraft]

We...(Jill) planted a pretty nice butterfly bush this year.
That thing attracts more butterflies than I have ever seen. The bush is constantly covered.
I like just sittin' there watchin' 'em fly in and out.