Missing tiger swallowtail butterflies summer 2024 - Ask Extension
Greetings,
I live in rural Northeast Benton County where we normally see dozens, sometimes hundreds, of tiger swallowtail butterflies on warm summe...
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Missing tiger swallowtail butterflies summer 2024 #877823
Asked July 18, 2024, 4:48 PM EDT
Greetings,
I live in rural Northeast Benton County where we normally see dozens, sometimes hundreds, of tiger swallowtail butterflies on warm summer days. This summer they are almost entirely missing where I've seen about 20 total for the entire summer so far. Other species of Lepidoptera seem to be low in numbers too. Has anyone else noticed this occurrence? Can you suggest a cause?
Thank you
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello,
Unfortunately I don't have an answer regarding if there are lower numbers of swallowtails this year. I haven't heard others come forward and say the same thing, but it doesn't mean it isn't happening. We have had a lot of temperature extremes from very cold to very hot which could affect numbers. Below is a link to an article discussing overall butterfly health and numbers:
https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/decades-long-butterfly-study-shows-common-species-decline
Thank you for using Ask Extension!
Unfortunately I don't have an answer regarding if there are lower numbers of swallowtails this year. I haven't heard others come forward and say the same thing, but it doesn't mean it isn't happening. We have had a lot of temperature extremes from very cold to very hot which could affect numbers. Below is a link to an article discussing overall butterfly health and numbers:
https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/decades-long-butterfly-study-shows-common-species-decline
Thank you for using Ask Extension!
