Where are the butterflies?

[Imalittleteapot]

Ordinarily the perennials, especially the lantana, is covered with butterflies. The potted fennel and parsley have no eggs, no caterpillars.
The fennel never blooms because the caterpillars eat everything before it gets a chance, but this year we have blossoms.

First the bees. Now the butterflies.

Anyone else notice this? I'm in North Central Texas.

[Lisa0825]

1. I haven't seen many, but I never had anything inviting for them before.

I planted some flowers in with my veggies, so I have seen a few butterflies and a few bees, but not a lot of either. I hope more will come as time goes by.

[LiberalEsto]

2. BT kills caterpillars

and it doesn't discriminate among types of caterpillars

People are using it in increasing amounts as a non-chemical pesticide, and I think this is causing the decline in butterflies. Some of the other new "safe" pesticides affect caterpillars and bees too.

[morningglory]

3. They come late here, but I just went outside and saw my first Giant

Swallowtail caterpillar on my limequat tree. Have been monitoring the citrus for years waiting... They usually get busy in August Sept around here.

[bvar22]

4. We're not too far from you (West Central Arkansas),

and we have far fewer butterflies this year too.
I have seen all the right species of Butterflies on our hilltop, just far fewer numbers.
I think it is a product of the weather this year, which I pray is an anomoly.

Mid Spring heat wave/drought set the VeggieGarden back about a month. The early tomato blossoms just dropped off without making fruit. Production from everything is about 1/2 compared to last year.
Lilacs didn't bloom this Spring. Last year, Tiger Swallowtails swarmed the Lilacs by the thousands.
This year, very few Tigers.

Measured rainfall for July is only 1.25 inches from a single thunderstorm. Average for July is over 6 inches. We have plenty of water for the garden from our well, but outside the garden, everything is dry and crisp.

Canadian (Purple) Thistle didn't blossom this year. Black/Pipevine/SpiceBush Swallowtails and Monarchs LOVE this thistle. Last year at this time, I was in the Thistle Patch taking pictures of all the Swallowtails. This year, there are only a couple of dried up plants in the same patch.



We keep Honeybees, and they are having a hard time this year too. We had lots of clover in May & June. The Bees were busy and making Honey, but the drought and heat killed all the clover in July. Now it just crunches under my feet. The Bees started eating their stored Honey in mid-July, and now were are feeding them.



The upside.....no mosquitoes. I have had a single mosquito bite this year. I love to sit outside in the evenings. Last year at this time, the mosquitoes would drive me inside. This year, I can stay outside and stargaze until I get sleepy. I also noticed that there are far fewer lightening bugs.


Forcast High for today is 104. Humidity is also HIGH. Normally, these conditions would produce afternoon thunderstorms, but not this year. Hope this is just an anomoly and not a trend.

[Kittycat]

5. Now that you mention it - only a few sporadic white butterflys here, but we have bees.

The bees must be near, because they're all over my russian sage and other flowers and herbs. Great big fat and furry bumble bees.

[tigereye]

6. I had a lot of bumbles on my echinachia - some butterflies too

I have seen some large swallowtails- yellow and black swallowtails and my pals the red admirals - but not as many as other years.

[murray hill farm]

7. The butterflies are all but gone from my yard this year.

In south east georgia. In past years, they were everywhere in my yard and gardens all summer. Also the hummingbirds are gone. I used to sit and watch them everyday...sad!

[tigereye]

8. even with your flowers and feeder?

hummers usually love those feeders, right? Is there some issue with hummingbirds and pesticides, or food chain issues?

The only time I've seen a hummer near my house was when I grew a cardinalis vine on my fence. It was really cool. It was such as gorgeous, fine, jewel-like creature. I was always afraid to get a hummer feeder since I didn't want them to get dependent on it.

:hi:

[murray hill farm]

9. This is the first year I put out a feeder...

I just went for it early this spring because there have always been so many hummingbirds that visit my garden each year. But, it just hangs there..no birds. I guess I should just take it down. I still have the regular bird feeders, but there are fewer birds of all species this year. It is sad, but also frightening that there are fewer birds...and not a butterfly to be seen.

[bvar22]

10. Not to worry.

Your new home will have plenty of Hummingbirds, wild birds, songbirds, butterflies, and bees.


These little guys provide endless amusement and fascination.
Not as many this year, but still plenty.
Last year, there would be 10- 12 fighting for a palce at the feeder, so we put up more feeders which just attracted more Hummingbirds.
You could get "buzzed" by wearing red in the yard.


Plenty of these too.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=140x1057



Lots of these, especially during the Winter.



Tons of beautiful butterflies.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x33533
(not my thread, but I posted photos of Arkansas butterflies downthread.)
Again, not as many this year, but still plentiful.

[murray hill farm]

11. OMG

That picture of the hummingbirds gave me goose bumps. Soooooooooo beautiful. I cannot....cannot wait to be able to move there. I dream at night...every night that I am already there...I have come to expect that I will be there in my dreams each night....which is a fine thing...ha! I love your humming bird feeder and have never seen one so pretty.