[TN-Butterflies] Re: Balance of Nature
- From: kjchilds <kjchilds@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: TN Butterflies <TN-Butterflies@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:19:13 -0700 (PDT)
The numbers of dragons in my area this year has been astounding but I have yet
to see one feeding on a butterfly. Same situation with robber flies. I've seen
plenty of both groups feeding but the prey is always small and not easily
identified.
My trips into the swamps and forests so far have found very few butterflies and
lots of dragonflies and damselflies. Since last year was my first to venture
into the forests and swamps away from my property, I can't say if last year or
this year is closer to normal if there is such a thing as a normal year.
Earlier this year I asked what impact the floods might have had on some species
of butterflies. I didn't get any replies but maybe those floods did mess with
some butterfly populations.
The general population of butterflies has increased drastically over the past
few days but what I haven't been seeing are Black Swallowtails. I have more
fennel growing than ever before but not a single caterpillar has shown up. Have
any of you seen any of these caterpillars?
Ken Childs
Henderson, TN
Chester County
http://www.finishflagfarms.com
________________________________
From: Julius Basham <juliusbasham@xxxxxxxxx>
To: TN Butterflies <TN-Butterflies@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, June 22, 2010 1:49:29 PM
Subject: [TN-Butterflies] Balance of Nature
As each new Butterfly season unfolds, I find myself marveling at the
constantly changing set of variables that cause the rises and falls in
general butterfly populations and individual species numbers. In the
several years now that I have been butterflying, I have seen no two
years alike or even vaguely similar.
The timing sequences for the emergence of hostplants and the larvae
that munch on them, seem to be so delicate, that the slightest weather
event has a major impact on what we will see weeks later. At any given
location, the amount of sunshine, rainfall, hail, wind, humidity, etc.
determines the annual viability of each fragile little creature.
SE Tennessee is very lush this year and in the last few weeks we have
experienced almost daily, wild and raucous, thunderstorms passing
through, leaving us with quite a few worn and tattered individuals.
How good of a year the predators are having, is another element that
determines butterfly population. This year seems to be especially good
for Dragonflies and Robberflies. Their numbers seem to be up 2x-5x
more than I have seen in years past.
I'd be interested to hear if any of you are seeing the same
disproportionate balance of butterflies to predators this year in your
areas of Tennessee.
Julius Basham
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