Haven't seen any other types of butterflies in our garden the last few days. Maybe a sign that winter is on its way.

[Charlie Victor]

Excellent capture! Spring in South Africa so we've started seeing them here. I believe in the UK they've had an abundance of 'ladies' this year. Thanks for sharing.
Best.

[ToddK]

Another great capture Dave! A perfect pose on a beautiful plant.

[DW58]

Excellent capture! Spring in South Africa so we've started seeing them here. I believe in the UK they've had an abundance of 'ladies' this year. Thanks for sharing.
Best.

Thanks Charlie. Good to hear about their numbers in the UK. I heard there was a bit of a population explosion in southern California this year too.

Another great capture Dave! A perfect pose on a beautiful plant.

Thanks Todd. The plant is a Tall Verbena. A favorite this year for Painted Ladies and Bumble Bees.

[TER-OR]

Great shot!
I'm not sure how much of the US populations migrate, but they do seem to do so in numbers. The European population seems better studied. It's really fascinating to think these little insects travel so far.

Now we need to get people to stop planting butterfly bush and plant verbena etc. instead!

[DW58]

Great shot!
I'm not sure how much of the US populations migrate, but they do seem to do so in numbers. The European population seems better studied. It's really fascinating to think these little insects travel so far.

Now we need to get people to stop planting butterfly bush and plant verbena etc. instead!

I read that a big reason for their population surge in southern California this year was due to all the spring rain they had in the desert areas. Lots of flowers blooming.

As of 2009 only Oregon Department of Agriculture approved seedless butterfly bushes can be propagated, transported, or sold in Oregon according to their noxious weed quarentine.

[TER-OR]

I read that a big reason for their population surge in southern California this year was due to all the spring rain they had in the desert areas. Lots of flowers blooming.

As of 2009 only Oregon Department of Agriculture approved seedless butterfly bushes can be propagated, transported, or sold in Oregon according to their noxious weed quarentine.

The big problem is they're displacing plants which are used by moths and butterflies as hosts. A plant which isn't eaten by something is usually not meant to be there. There are plenty of attractive choices which actually provide ecosystem value. We all need to be thinking of our yards as a part of something bigger, the suburbs must be viewed as a resource. It's where the endangered Bombus affinis (Rusty-Patched Bumblebee) is hanging on. We can all help.

[DW58]

The big problem is they're displacing plants which are used by moths and butterflies as hosts. A plant which isn't eaten by something is usually not meant to be there. There are plenty of attractive choices which actually provide ecosystem value. We all need to be thinking of our yards as a part of something bigger, the suburbs must be viewed as a resource. It's where the endangered Bombus affinis (Rusty-Patched Bumblebee) is hanging on. We can all help.

I agree. So did the state of Oregon ten years ago. Obviously the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture can't do anything about all the Buddleia already planted but from that day forward they made it illegal to sell, transport or propagate any "butterfly bush" that produces seeds. No seeds no unwanted spreading of this invasive species. More states should classify it as a noxious weed as Oregon has.

[reh321]

Haven't seen any other types of butterflies in our garden the last few days. Maybe a sign that winter is on its way.

You did a good job of capturing all the 'fuzzy' detail on its body.

[DW58]

You did a good job of capturing all the 'fuzzy' detail on its body.

Thanks. I only recently realized how fuzzy some butterflies are.