Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: DAILY BUTTERFLIES Page 40, 1 by Meredith79

Meredith79 wrote:
I had a TST on my Anise Hyssop yesterday. Last year I only saw small butterflies on them so I wasn't sure if large butterflies would nectar on them. He stuck around for some time, and let me take lots of pictures.
I also wanted to say that I've been trying to decide if I think the butterfly populations are down like others have talked about. Right now it seems it is a very good year for TSTs. The Monarchs have just started coming around here so I can't say whether or not they are in higher numbers or not yet. However this is the right time for them to start arriving so so far so good here in New Hampshire. I am noticing less fritillaries than last year. I don't know if this was already said but I think it is very normal for some species to flourish some years and not others due to the whole predator cycle. If there are a high number of caterpillars that gives the predators more food to flourish as well. I think after we have a bigger than normal year people are expecting that again and when it doesn't happen it makes it seem as though there aren't as many, when there is probably just a more normal amount. Does that make sense? I have a hard time expressing my thoughts in type some times. Wishing everyone well and butterfly filled days