Lack of butterflies

[pjrelf at kas.kc3ltd.co.uk]

In article <22929-359C4C9D-2568 at mailtod-152.iap.bryant.webtv.net>,
  bugguy at webtv.net wrote:
>
> I think everyone is experiencing in one form or another a lack of
> butterflies this year. We here in Rhode Island had a great season last
> year with many species being recorded for the first time in awhile. For
> us we had an early spring with lots of butterflies hatching. Then we had
> almost 20 days of rain, wind and cold weather. Then we had normal temps
> but no butterflies were to be found. We just got over another 19 day
> period of rain. What I think happened is that alot of adults hatched
> early only to be killed by the first period of rain (either by cold or
> not being able to feed since they don't fly in the rain). This then
> caused a chain reaction i that no one was breeding thus no larvae.
> We now have had 2 days without rain and some adults have been sighted
> but nowhere near as many as last year (or even what was seen with our
> early spring).
>
> David Albaugh
>

Here in the UK there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of
butterflies in recent years.  This has been put down to (a) removal of
hedgerows and other natural habitats by farmers and land developers,  and (b)
intensive use of insecticides by farmers.

Are those problems a cause of the decrease in butterfly population in the US
as well ??

Regards.

Peter Relf,
Herefordshire, UK.

-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp   Create Your Own Free Member Forum