Lack of butterflies

[Ted Mosquin]

Re: Papilio glaucus:

For the record here in Eastern Ontario (west of Perth) the tiger swallow tail was
extremely common this year. There were 2 or three around flower beds and local
meadows in May and June. However,  in 1997 this species was so scarce that one
could see perhaps only one every few days, if then.

This summer, the satyrs and wood nymphs seem to be quite common as well.  Monarchs
arrived in mid June, but are not abundant, although there is plenty of milkweed
everywhere.

Ted Mosquin

Anne Kilmer wrote:

> pjrelf at kas.kc3ltd.co.uk wrote:
> >
> > 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