This was not a good year for bees, but it’s been many years since I’ve seen this many butterfly species in my backyard or on hikes.
I don’t think the two situations are related. The flooding rains wiped out a lot of the bees, but it was our mild winter that made it a great year for butterflies.
Here are some of the species I’ve seen so far this summer starting with the Red Admiral:
These butterflies showed up for the first time in May, and they were everywhere.
According to the U.S. Forestry Service, this is the most popular butterfly seen in urban areas. Maybe because they can appear friendly. I’ve had Red Admirals cling on my shirt sleeves and even land in my hair.
The larvae feed on members of the nettle family, so they don’t have to depend on one type of plant like a monarch does with milkweed.
Painted Lady butterflies have visited my backyard from time to time over the years. These pretty insects feed on nectar from flowers like Joe-pye weed, liatris, cosmos and asters. They are found on just about every continent except South America and Antarctica. Some of them are long-distance migrants.
In fact, earlier this year, a group of scientists announced that some Painted Lady butterflies flew 2,600 miles non-stop over the Atlantic Ocean!
“The researchers believe that these butterflies took part in their annual migration south from Europe but got lost when the wind blew them into the ocean, he added. The butterflies then likely rode out the trade winds, which blow east to west near the equator, until they reached land in South America.”
Adult butterflies only live for 10 days to 3 weeks once they’ve hatched, so that beauty only lasts for a very short time.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Eastern Comma butterfly before this year. He moved fast so this is the only photo I got:
These butterflies hibernate as adults and may come out on a warm day when there is still snow on the ground in the north.
These butterflies are commonly found in my state of Wisconsin, but mostly along woodland trails which is exactly where I spotted this one!
Eastern Commas have a longer lifespan than the Painted Lady. They live up to 5 months.
I usually see at least one Black Swallowtail butterfly in my backyard each summer. So far this summer I’ve seen several. I was hoping they’d lay eggs on my parsley, but so far I don’t see any larvae crawling around.
These butterflies also lay eggs on dill, fennel, carrots, celery and parsnip. Female butterflies can lay 200 to 400 eggs. Unfortunately adults only live for about a week.
I have photos of more butterflies I’ve seen so far this summer, but I’ll save that for part two!