Fw: Re: Butterflies and Weather

[mbpi at juno.com]

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <mbpi at juno.com>
To: marilynp at nctc.net
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2001 19:06:54 -0500
Subject: Re: Butterflies and Weather
Message-ID: <20010701.190658.-206143.1.mbpi at juno.com>

I recall back in May when the first Red Admirals started appearing in
huge numbers, I predicted this would be a banner year for
butterflies...at least in the Chicago area...and it indeed has been
exceptional.

Since I've been back in Chicago some five summers now, it wasn't until
late July that I would notice that a diversity of species made their
appearance.  This year, I've seen more species of butterflies in fewer
places and closer to home, than my former years of day-tripping to noted
butterfly spots throughout the area.  A Variegated Fritillary at my
garbage cans in the alley?!  Unheard of!  Yet there it was in mid-June
when I took out my garbage.  Pipevine and Spicebush Swallowtails in the
container gardens on the terrace at the Field Museum on Lake Michigan, 
Monarchs in May,  Red Spotted Purples and a Grey Hairstreak on the Museum
Campus, and an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on a busy street near the
grocery store...and more Commas, Question Marks, Azures, American Ladies
and Red Admirals than I've ever encountered in my daily preambles to and
from my home.  And I'm not even looking for them!

As for the ubiquitous Cabbage Whites:  Barely any to speak of...they are
outnumbered by Clouded Sulphurs.  Even non-butterfly enthusiasts have
remarked on the number of butterflies they have observed near their
homes' proximity.

Whatever the reason, all I can say is:  It's about time!!!  It could just
be the bugs have finally discovered Mayor Daley's "City in a Garden," and
are taking advantage of all the  invested years of plantings...

As an aside:  I never witnessed any true "northward movement" of the
Vanessas...just random flight direction, lots of nectaring and
territorials displays.  The Red Admirals are still present in large
numbers.  

Also, a man who lives in the southwestern part of the county told me he
discovered "hundreds of Monarchs" roosting in his garage "two weeks ago"
(!)  Was he deluded?!

M.B. Prondzinski

On 30 Jun 2001 11:17:01 -0700 marilynp at nctc.net (Marilyn) writes:
> In my area (central USA)there seem to be many more butterflies this
> year than in some years past.  I am wondering what the cause may be?
> 
> 1.  Weather significance
> 2.  Environmental significance
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Marilyn
> 
>  
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