El Nino and Butteflies

[Daniel Glaeske]

Now for a change in topic.  

Out here in the northwestern prairies we have had an abominable lack of
snow cover this winter.  Big cracks have appeared in the soil and I'm
not certain there is much frost in the ground.  

Any comments as to what this may do to species that overwinter as
pupae?  Particularly ones that pupate in the ground, like skippers. 
Although we have had a relatively mild winter, I am concerned that
several species out here will decline (or continue to decline) because
of the lack of ground insulation.  The last brown Christmas in these
parts was in the early 70's.  Anybody remember what happened to
butterfly populations the following spring back then?

Daniel