Still time for fall butterflies

SCOTT RANDO

Posted 10/11/17

For those readers that have been following the monarch butterflies through the summer, you have probably been encouraged by the number of monarchs seen compared to the previous few years. In the …

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Still time for fall butterflies

TRR photos by Scott Rando

This monarch was caught by the camera in mid-flight after stopping for a rest as it checked out some goldenrod. This individual, like many others of its species, is on its way south to Mexico. Migration counts are still ongoing at hawk-counting sites, but the numbers are above average compared to the last three years.

The painted lady has also been seen a lot this year. It also migrates to southern states or Mexico this time of year. About a week back, a mass of migrating painted lady butterflies was dense enough to show up on NWS radars at Denver, CO.

The spangled fritillary is another common butterfly seen in the region. With its orange wings, it is often mistaken for a monarch when in flight; however, this species is faster in the air and more erratic in flight.

The clouded sulphur is slightly larger than the commonly seen cabbage white butterfly. Clouded sulphurs can be seen on a variety of wild plants and may be one of the most common butterflies in your yard. They have been seen well into November during milder falls.

Posted Wednesday, October 11, 2017 10:02 am

SCOTT RANDO

For those readers that have been following the monarch butterflies through the summer, you have probably been encouraged by the number of monarchs seen compared to the previous few years. In the August 16 issue, I did a River Talk column on the increase in monarch sightings, and that trend seems to have continued.

It’s fall, but there are still lots of butterflies around. Not only are the monarchs flying around and heading south, but many other species of butterflies are around as well. The mild weather is helping to keep flowers around a little longer. Check any flower garden or patch of wildflowers, goldenrod, etc., and you may well see some of these fall beauties.