For the first time in recent memory I didn't have a single Monarch pass through this spring. I'd heard about the large kill in Mexico, but still had hope. I did notice a hummer at the blooming milkweed this afternoon.

Am seeing plenty of swallowtails.

Here is a link that might be useful: Monarch butterflies battered by the weather

I am, so sad to read this and hear of your not having any Monarchs. And it's not as if this is the first year they had had weather related problems that killed off a large number of them.

I always have had some types of Milkweed or Butterfly weed here for the Monarchs in case they visit. Years ago they used to be so common in my garden, they always loved the zinnia flowers. Nowadays and in recent years those Monarchs have been scarce. A very sad thing.

I know what you mean. Between the logging of the fir forests and the weather it makes you wonder if we're going to lose them forever.

Here is a link that might be useful: this was 4 years ago

Rita, had to bring this back up after I saw the first Monarch in the garden today. Better late than never! She's been busy ovipositing for the past hour.

That is funny as I saw the very first Monach of the year just now when I was in the garden afew minutes ago also. I had been seeing the yellow swallowtails but this was the first Monarch. I have so many flowers to attract them. Plus I plant milkweeds every year.

Seen a couple here in KS.

It won't get monarchs or swallowtails, but over-ripe (okay, maybe you'd call it rotten) banana drew several butterflies to the sand pan. There are actually 4 butterflies on the pan, but you have to look for a couple of them, as their wings are not spread open.

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This is not one of the lovely butterfly pictures, but it gets the point across, I think.

This is a picture of one of the prettier butterflies to me, but I am not one of the educated butterfly lovers. I just like to look at them.
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I was excited to see a zebra swallowtail butterfly in my yard earlier this year.

kay