Butterfly Migration - So. California

I saw a whole heck of a lot of Painted Ladies from Bakersfield to Mohave
making a mess of my windshield a couple weeks ago. I don't know if they
were migrating.
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.edgehill.net/1/?SC=go.php&DIR=California/Desert/2005-03-19-mohave&PG=2&PIC=6" target="_blank">http://www.edgehill.net/1/?SC=go.php&DIR=California/Desert/2005-03-19-...ave&PG=</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.edgehill.net/1/?SC=go.php&DIR=California/Desert/2005-03-19-mohave&PG=2&PIC=7" target="_blank">http://www.edgehill.net/1/?SC=go.php&DIR=California/Desert/2005-03-19-...ave&PG=</a>

Hmm:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/inverts/paintedlady.html" target="_blank">http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/inverts/paintedlady.html</a>
"They survive through the winter in the southwestern United States, Baja
California, and Sonora. Farther north, the first frost destroys the
populations and might stimulate some to migrate south for the winter,
but this does not happen regularly.

If adequate rain occurs in the winter it can stimulate a northerly
dispersal and repopulation of the butterflies in the United States,
Canada, and Iceland. This spring dispersal can sometimes be quite
phenomenal, with millions moving through a region over a seven to eight
week period. They come to rest for a quick nectar break on a diversity
of plants before continuing their northward movement."

steve wrote:

 > I have been seeing swarms of butterflies migrating North through North
 > Orange County, California the last two days. Seems like a larger than
 > normal sized migration -- I cannot recall ever seeing this many before.
 >
 > Although I have not been able to identify the particular species I don't
 > think they are Monarchs because they seem too small. Colors are black
 > and orange although it is difficult to get a good view because they
 > don't seem to land ever. These guys are very determined to get to where
 > they are going.
 >
 > If I can manage to take a photo of one I will post it.
 >
 > Anyone else seeing them? Maybe we can figure out where they are going.
 >
 > Steve
 >
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Butterfly Migration - So. California 

I think you might have hit the nail on the head (or the butterfly with
the windshield, as the case may be). They look a lot like painted ladies.

Thanks Paul

paul wrote:

 > I saw a whole heck of a lot of Painted Ladies from Bakersfield to Mohave
 > making a mess of my windshield a couple weeks ago. I don't know if they
 > were migrating.
 > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.edgehill.net/1/?SC=go.php&DIR=California/Desert/2005-03-19-mohave&PG=2&PIC=6" target="_blank">http://www.edgehill.net/1/?SC=go.php&DIR=California/Desert/2005-03-19-...ave&PG=</a>
 >
 > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.edgehill.net/1/?SC=go.php&DIR=California/Desert/2005-03-19-mohave&PG=2&PIC=7" target="_blank">http://www.edgehill.net/1/?SC=go.php&DIR=California/Desert/2005-03-19-...ave&PG=</a>
 >
 >
 > Hmm:
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/inverts/paintedlady.html</font" target="_blank">http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/inverts/paintedlady.html</font</a>>
 > "They survive through the winter in the southwestern United States, Baja
 > California, and Sonora. Farther north, the first frost destroys the
 > populations and might stimulate some to migrate south for the winter,
 > but this does not happen regularly.
 >
 > If adequate rain occurs in the winter it can stimulate a northerly
 > dispersal and repopulation of the butterflies in the United States,
 > Canada, and Iceland. This spring dispersal can sometimes be quite
 > phenomenal, with millions moving through a region over a seven to eight
 > week period. They come to rest for a quick nectar break on a diversity
 > of plants before continuing their northward movement."
 >
 > steve wrote:
 >
  >> I have been seeing swarms of butterflies migrating North through North
  >> Orange County, California the last two days. Seems like a larger than
  >> normal sized migration -- I cannot recall ever seeing this many before.
  >>
  >> Although I have not been able to identify the particular species I
  >> don't think they are Monarchs because they seem too small. Colors are
  >> black and orange although it is difficult to get a good view because
  >> they don't seem to land ever. These guys are very determined to get to
  >> where they are going.
  >>
  >> If I can manage to take a photo of one I will post it.
  >>
  >> Anyone else seeing them? Maybe we can figure out where they are going.
  >>
  >> Steve
  >>
  >>
  >>
  >><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Butterfly Migration - So. California 

Lakewood checking in with swarm sightings.
Went to Trader Joe's the other day in Cerritos
and on the way back, we drove through a large
swarm of small butterflies going North. I mean
the butterflies were going North, I was going west.
There were hundreds of them. I'm seeing about 2 or 3
per minute going over my house for the last couple days.
They are just what you described. See image here:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.photosig.com/go/photos/view?id=1471006&forward=main" target="_blank">http://www.photosig.com/go/photos/view?id=1471006&forward=main</a>
Cheers and Happy Easter.
--
£û©Â§
"steve" <doesnotexist.RemoveThis@bitbucket.invalid> wrote in message
news:WcqdnUqIueC9ktrfRVn-qA@adelphia.com...
 >I have been seeing swarms of butterflies migrating North through North
 >Orange County, California the last two days. Seems like a larger than
 >normal sized migration -- I cannot recall ever seeing this many before.
 >
 > Although I have not been able to identify the particular species I don't
 > think they are Monarchs because they seem too small. Colors are black and
 > orange although it is difficult to get a good view because they don't seem
 > to land ever. These guys are very determined to get to where they are
 > going.
 >
 > If I can manage to take a photo of one I will post it.
 >
 > Anyone else seeing them? Maybe we can figure out where they are going.
 >
 > Steve
 >
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Butterfly Migration - So. California 

"steve" <doesnotexist.DeleteThis@bitbucket.invalid> wrote in message news:WcqdnUqIueC9ktrfRVn-qA@adelphia.com...
 > I have been seeing swarms of butterflies migrating North through North
 > Orange County, California the last two days. Seems like a larger than
 > normal sized migration -- I cannot recall ever seeing this many before.
 >
 > Although I have not been able to identify the particular species I don't
 > think they are Monarchs because they seem too small. Colors are black
 > and orange although it is difficult to get a good view because they
 > don't seem to land ever. These guys are very determined to get to where
 > they are going.
 >
 > If I can manage to take a photo of one I will post it.
 >
 > Anyone else seeing them? Maybe we can figure out where they are going.

I've been seeing them in droves for the past couple of weeks in the N.E. Anaheim
area, all heading in a northerly direction. I have had trouble identifying them, too, if
that is any solace I concur that they don't look like Monarchs. Too light in color.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Butterfly Migration - So. California 

OK, I'll add southern Nevada to the list - there were swarms of north-bound
Painted Ladies all over last Wednesday-Thursday. There were NONE in Death
Valley on Saturday.

Bob in Las Vegas


"-=Lucas=-" <tdlucas5000_SPAMIT_ RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
news:aLadnX_RNcK0qtrfRVn-oQ@comcast.com...
 > Lakewood checking in with swarm sightings.
 > Went to Trader Joe's the other day in Cerritos
 > and on the way back, we drove through a large
 > swarm of small butterflies going North. I mean
 > the butterflies were going North, I was going west.
 > There were hundreds of them. I'm seeing about 2 or 3
 > per minute going over my house for the last couple days.
 > They are just what you described. See image here:
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.photosig.com/go/photos/view?id=1471006&forward=main</font" target="_blank">http://www.photosig.com/go/photos/view?id=1471006&forward=main</font</a>>
 > Cheers and Happy Easter.
 > --
 > £û©Â§
 > "steve" <doesnotexist RemoveThis @bitbucket.invalid> wrote in message
 > news:WcqdnUqIueC9ktrfRVn-qA@adelphia.com...
  > >I have been seeing swarms of butterflies migrating North through North
  > >Orange County, California the last two days. Seems like a larger than
  > >normal sized migration -- I cannot recall ever seeing this many before.
  > >
  > > Although I have not been able to identify the particular species I don't
  > > think they are Monarchs because they seem too small. Colors are black
and
  > > orange although it is difficult to get a good view because they don't
seem
  > > to land ever. These guys are very determined to get to where they are
  > > going.
  > >
  > > If I can manage to take a photo of one I will post it.
  > >
  > > Anyone else seeing them? Maybe we can figure out where they are going.
  > >
  > > Steve
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Butterfly Migration - So. California 

My brother, sister in law, and mother in law drove over to San Diego from
the Phoenix, AZ area for Easter weekend - their car was covered with the
little butterflies described in the various postings. They returned to AZ
on Monday - and again - their car was plastered with them. They inquired
at a service station about this odd phenomenon and it was suggested that
the heavy rains this winter are responsible for the enormous population of
butterflies! We wanted to know the name of this butterfly? Other postings
have mentioned Painted Lady. Much, much too small for a Monarch or Viceroy
- although the coloration is quite similar.

--
Message posted via http://www.photokb.com
 >> Stay informed about: Butterfly Migration - So. California 

I have been seeing them flying north in Lakewood since last week. However,
my mother just noticed them in Fresno this week. Is anyone sure if they
are Painted Ladies?

--
Message posted via http://www.photokb.com
 >> Stay informed about: Butterfly Migration - So. California 

The ones that I've seen stop are Painted Ladies. My eyes aren't good
enough to identify the ones in the air.
 >> Stay informed about: Butterfly Migration - So. California 

I just resized and uploaded a few photos.

http://www.pbase.com/madhatter/sd2
 >> Stay informed about: Butterfly Migration - So. California