I'd think that having access to a. curassavica would keep the monarchs in your area, but I'm no expert on monarch behavior.
I'm still seeing many of the same butterflies you're seeing, minus the PVS and painted ladies - I can't remember ever seeing a pipevine swallowtail in late November, December, or early February, nor can I ever remember seeing an American lady until around late Feb. The cudweed has regrown here with the end of hot summer weather, so I might see some. It's been in the upper 70's here for the past few days, not very wintry!
Have you still got gulf frit cats? I do!
MissSherry

Yes, gulf frits seem to go boom/bust, based on the supply of passionflower....they stripped me, I mean stripped me...and I have probably a good 12 functioning vines.

The Passionvine has come back well, and they are all over it. Also, lots of eggs on the hardi plank a good foot away from the plant....too high for me to reach to save them. They are some reckless egglayers, aren't they!

THe male PV is one that eclosed about 3 weeks ago. We had a cold spell for 3 days, and I thought that would be that, but poof, there he is! My last PV cats pupated about 2 weeks ago, I'm tracking at lease 10 chrysalises outside, and have more in the garage. I had a good late season batch of eggs laid. Wanting a few more warm weeks!!!

Odd, isn't it? I swear, we've had the most bizarre weather here as well, Paul, and I found, are you ready? 74 Monarch eggs today! Yep, that's right! It RAINED like mad yesterday, was windy and COLD today, yet I found 74 eggs! Even DH said, "Sherry, I didn't even SEE a Monarch. Where in the heck did those eggs come from?" Heck if I know...All I can say is this...I found a few EARLY this morning when I went to gather some leaves to feed the hungry munchers. Then, later, before noon, I went out when I was a bit warmer, and found a total of 56. I had to go to a baby shower so had to stop looking. I came home late in the afternoon, went out to get more leaves, and four 18 more. Good grief! Truly amazing...

That IS amazing, CalSherry!
I think it's obvious that your monarchs don't overwinter in Mexico! :)
MissSherry

I released my last Monarch today. I brought it to school because it was ready to emerge. It did and we released it in our butterfly garden at school. I have lots of sulfer cats and a few GF as my vine is bare.

On the way home from Walmart today a big, black butterfly flew over the road in front of me. I couldn't get a good look at it, but it was probably a black female tiger swallowtail or maybe a spicebush swallowtail. I guess the very warm weather we've had for about a week caused at least one local swallowtail to emerge early, way too early!
When I see pictures of the middle of the country all covered in ice, I can hardly believe the difference!
MissSherry

Glad to hear that you had a good butterfly year, Paul. Missed your posts this summer. I take it that you survived the drought with still having bfs around.

I am no expert on Monarchs by any means. But, if you have had some unusually warm weather, and milkweed still growing, it's been my experience that the males can easily go out of diapause, and seek out newly emerged females, or elderly females unable to fight them off, and they will continue to lay eggs. The older females will continue to hang around and lay eggs until they die.

Monarchs are tropical, and can not survive freezing temps. If they are in a very well protected wooded area, they may survive a light winter, but not a hard freeze with temps below freezing for a long period of time. They have trouble flying at temps below 55 degrees, and are paralyzed at temps below 40 degrees.

Keep us posted on your Monarchs, Paul.

Tdog, I can't believe that you are still finding eggs. :) Your temps must be warm enough for your milkweed to continue growing. How wonderful for them to find your haven.

Wow, Miss Sherry. This is awfully early for them to be emerging. I am sure that they are very confused with the weather. Are your moths still overwintering?

Yes, Linda, I have lots of butterfly chrysalids and moth cocoons still overwintering in my guest room. I keep the door closed and the blinds drawn for darkness, the vent is closed to keep it cool, and for some reason it's stayed cool in the room - turning on the air-conditioning probably helped.
MissSherry

Linda, not two weeks ago, I had what appeared to be a newly emerged Monarch in my garden, a Cloudless Sulphur, and a Goatweed Leafwing. Not surprised to see the Goatweed Leafwing, but definitely a shock to see the other two. Hope that Monarch sped it's way to Mexico.

Susan

I had a Monarch, PC, Cloudless Sulphur, and RA a couple of weeks ago, also. They must have emerged when the weather was warmer. Last week, I was saddened that I happened upon a Giant cat that had froze to death that I must have missed. :(

Keep us posted when your butterflies and moths start to wake up and emerge, Miss Sherry. I have a few Blacks and Giants, but no Pipevine chrys. They did not choose to overwinter.

I had one last monarch come out Dec. 10. I still have sulfer cats, but colder weather is coming. It has been in the 70's for a week.

I'm envious of all you folks still seeing butterflies. I've seen no butterflies for the past 3 weeks even though we've had highs over 50 for about 1/2 of that period. Merry Christmas/happy holidays to all of you and may all of us who can do something special for the less fortunate during this season.

mike