My friend came over to visit today and said she saw one in my yard as she was driving up. I've only seen one, and that was a few weeks ago. It seemed to be hanging around the milkweed plants, but I haven't seen any eggs or cats or any leaf damage. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Martha

Today, Hubs and I watched two flying together--they were doing the "wild thing". We have several nectar and larval plants. If you plan and plant for butterflies they will come.

T

I've seen one Monarch flitting around Swamp Milkweed in back yard but don't see any eggs/cats yet.

Few little cats on Tropical Milkweed I planted in containers out in front of house.

The milkweed in back was in full bloom but Monarch didn't even go near blooms.

Tropical Milkweed flowers are stuck in bud mode but that's where eggs got laid.

Butterflies must be as frustrated as we are with whacky weather this year.

Think I missed the chance for Black Swallowtails in late May through June. Saw a couple flitting around during infrequent breaks in rain/cold but they didn't lay any eggs on Fennel. Don't know if second/third generation of BSTs were laid on host plants this year. Afraid if we don't get that first generation laying eggs in May/June it's hard to keep the local line going.

Yeah, it's a bit worrisome this year.

In June I did see a couple of Black Swallowtails.
I was away these past 3 weeks. My neighbor said she did see a lot of butterflies in my yard.But I've been back for a couple days and have seen very few of them.

Yesterday, there was also a beautiful Tiger Swallowtail. I was happy to see him.
There were a couple Red Admirals and a small light yellow one too.

I have few Swamp Milkweed, and a lot of dill and Queen Anne's Lace. Fennel didn't take. Will have to transplant some more from the temple. I have a huge stand of Bronze Fennel there. Will add prettier Asclepias too.

I transplanted a Symphoricarpos alba from the temple earlier this spring. Have no room so it was planted in a half whiskey barrel. Will see if it takes. If not will get another one. Will definitely WS more Buddleia this winter.

I miss those butterflies! There are not a lot of bees either. Boo hoo hoo!
:-(

My yard is offering up 4 Buddleia bushes (dark purple light purple, dark pink, yellow) with plumper flowers than I have ever seen (all the rain?) and still VERY few butterflies compared to other years. I've seen exactly one monarch to date and only a few of the tiny white kind. Usually at this time of year, the buddleias are swarming with life.

Strange year. Also 25 ft of blooming trumpet vine trellis and ONE hummingbird spotted. Usually many more.

I had three Monarch cats on my orange buddleia a couple of weeks ago. I haven't checked them since. It's the first time I've ever seen cats.

That is so good Piti!! I saw a Viceroy yesterday and was so happy to see something so pretty and graceful. :O)

The Tiger Swallowtails were here earlier in the season, but my Fennel, Dill, and Rue weren't ready. Next year there will be an army of those plants waiting for them!!

I haven't seen hardly any butterflies at all this year, some of the cabbage and sulfers, and a few spring azures, and a single monarch. That's it. Where did the butterflies go? :(

Karen

I was sitting this afernoon on the back driveway where I put a chair to watch the butterflies on the buddleias. I have loads on skippers, a handful of monarchs, and lots of cabbage moths. Something big and yellow flitted over the driveway and landed on a flower truss, it was an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Incredible. It's a very big butterfly.

Hey Trudy - Could you give them the directions out east? (smile) I've got lots of yummys for them and very few takers.

But I must try the "take a lawn chair out and JUST SIT AND WATCH" technique. Maybe they are avoiding the BB's when I am scurying about. Maybe if I just sat down. But I'm still planting!!! And weeeding and weeeeeding and weeeeeding. But sitting would be nice. Yes, tomorrow. A good sit.

Nancy

I haven't had many butterflies at all this year.

Karen

I've had a resident Monarch for weeks now, it spends all day circling the new Ring garden visiting the zins and checking out the 5 plantings of 4 kinds of milkweed (no blooms yet). I really wish he/she would get a friend! I've 8 kinds of zins in bloom this year and get most of the butterfly traffic. I've spotted a silver spotted skipper, question mark, great spangled fritillary, clouded sulphur, tiger swallowtail, Eastern black swallowtail, summer azure, American painted lady, hummingbird clearwing moth (on the phlox), red spotted purple and the everpresent cabbage butterflies. My 12 plantings of WS'd butterfly bushes are just starting to bloom and am hoping for even more action. Trouble is, I only seem to see ONE of each variety. And we all know it takes TWO to tango...! :-D
Kris