Something's Missing

[Lemmon]

Karen,
 
We have all noticed fewer butterflies this summer.  Most butterflies
overwinter as larvae, I think the cold rainy spring and summer have
knocked the developing larvae way back.  During one stretch in July we had
rain 11 days out of 13.  That also affects the nectaring females, and
prevents copulation.  Newly emerged adults need to nectar feed within a
few days .
 
Carol Lemmon
 
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From: Karen McNulty <kmcnulty at crlc.org>
To: ctleps-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: Something's Missing
Date: Monday, August 21, 2000 10:58 AM
 
I am a new member of the listserve, living in Hartland at a fairly high
elevation (north of Granby, south of Granville, MA). At this point in the
summer my buddleia and coneflowers would normally be heavy with tiger &
black swallowtails, cabbage whites and fritillaries.  But even this
weekend
with sunny, warm conditions, I have none, nor have seen but one since my
return from vacation Aug. 13.  Can anyone more insightful give an opinion?
I am just beginning identification studies, and I'm weak in this area, but
I have only seen a lot of bees, a few moths, and a small one that looks a
like a copper or metalmark. Is the chilly summer the cause? I work in a
public library and have poured through what resources we have, but can't
seem to find climate observations relative to sightings.  Thank you!
--Karen