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Oklahoma Gardening

Where Have All the Butterflies Gone?

18 years ago

Man, I have not seen very many this year, and I only had one egg on my Rue, which has since hatched and ate it's way into butterfly-dom. Usually I am nearly covered with butterflies this time of year. Except for a couple of days about a month ago, when I saw a GST and an EBST, a few painted ladies, and sulphurs, I have seen NOTHING! What up with these lords and ladies?

Susanlynne

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Comments (5)

Okiedawn OK Zone 7
18 years ago
Susan,

We are seeing less, but I think I'm seeing more than you are. Maybe it is the erratic weather? So far I have mostly seen different types of swallowtails and a few unidentified orange and black ones, and a lot of sulphurs, and some little blue ones. I guess I need to get a Butterfly ID Guide so I can figure out what I have. I did see a lot more early in May than I am seeing late in May.

Dawn
rjj1
18 years ago
I use this page on occassion.

Our cool spring I hope is the only reason. Maybe numbers will climb with the temps.

randy

Here is a link that might be useful: Butterflies of Okla
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Tomato_Worm59
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I agree with the above; it's the weather. before it started getting cool again, I was just starting to see butterflies. I counted maybe 7-8 species. I still see an occasional tiger swallowtail at work, but other than cabbage whites, haven't really seen anything.
I'm patiently waiting for the sphinx moths.
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There was an article in the Tulsa World a couple of weeks or so ago about the diminishing numbers of butterflies. If I remember correctly it was specifically about Monarchs, but mentioned the over-all decline. Joni Mitchell was right--we've "paved paradise and put up a parking lot". The article mentioned wanting people to establish "way-stations" along the migratory routes for Monarchs.
susanlynne48
Original Author
18 years ago
I did see cabbage whites today, and I have two toddlers of BST on my fennel. Yeah! So, they've been around, I just haven't seen them. My passion flower is just peeking out of the soil, so soon I'll have the frits. I had one BST on my Rue finally, but it disappeared, so I assume the birds got it. No GSTs yet. Numbers really are down right now. Maybe they're just getting ready for a big swarm, right? Keep me posted on your sightings.

Susan

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