We live in an Atlanta GA suburb. Several years ago we began creating and planting large areas for pollinators. Each year we were visited by many different and increasing species of bees, wasps, moths, humming birds and butterflies. Last year we noticed a decline in numbers and this year we have seen exactly 3 butterflies - tiger swallowtails.

We do not use pesticides and only natural fertilizers through composting. Our nearest neighbor does not "treat" her property, but others in the neighborhood do; particularly grass treatment services. Properties here are each over an acre to give you perspective on spacing/distance. We lost a number of plants to foraging deer and were advised to use a product the company swore was not harmful so not sure if this is the source of trouble.

Will greatly appreciate your counsel and feedback.

I live in Florida and have noticed that every time we get hit by a hurricane or a tropical storm, even if its not a direct blow, the butterfly population decreases. In 2004, we were hit here by 2 back to back storms only about a week apart, Frances and Jean. For maybe the next 3-4 years, the butterfly population was decimated, dislocated, generally destroyed by the damage to foliage. And other parts of the state were hit by 2 DIFFERENT storms, we had 4 that year, and their local populations were decimated as well. It took literally years for them to come back. I suspect that climate change may also be playing a role in the butterfly population decrease

You mentioned you live in suburban Atlanta: I bet construction projects in your area affected the wildlife.
Another reason to curse real estate speculators and their chums.

Thank you Gina. We've not had any storms like that to date; could be a result of climate change. I'm not sure how many neighbors are in tune with pollinators to notice a decline.

Thank you ElPolloDiablo, we are an established area- no construction near us.

Here in SE Michigan, I too am seeing less butterflies.
But I tend to agree that severe weather might be a cause. I mean look how bad the winter was in the Texas area last winter.
But I would think that reduced butterfly numbers are due to several factors. Including catastrophic weather events, local building projects, a late spring, an early winter cold snap. A wetter then average spring, a drier then average spring, a hotter and drier summer. I don't think you can blame a single reason.

Perhaps locally you can. For example this highway exchange project destroyed 25 acres of milkweed. I would expect a temporary localized drop in Monarch butterflies. But milkweed is a weed, it will colonize other open areas producing more larval food in upcoming seasons.
But honestly I have not had Tiger Seallowtails, Black Seallowtails or Red Admirals at all really in 2021. I never had a lot from 2018 through 2020, but I had some. Is this climate change, global warming??? Dont know. OR is it simply the "Law of Averages"? Some years levels are up and some years levels are down.

When you look year to year and see a fall, that's kind of a one year deal. But when you look at 10, 20, or 30 years and say that there are less butterflies now compared to then, then we can blame global warming or something of that nature.

Thank you Big Bill, certainly it all makes sense. We will continue to plant more with more diversity. I was glad to see the JoePye weed tripled amongst other good spreading of plants. We have just about every plant you can think of for our area, but climate change and destruction of habitat can be tough to combat. Why we need to be aware and active locally!

lindadove said:Thank you Gina. We've not had any storms like that to date; could be a result of climate change. I'm not sure how many neighbors are in tune with pollinators to notice a decline.

Even if you have not had a direct local impact like that, it can still affect your local population if the areas within a geographical location have. I live about 8 hours from you. That's not really all that far. I plant a lot of milkweed out here for the Monarchs, and it reseeds itself as well. I also plant other stuff for other types of butterflies hoping to encourage them. When we first moved out to this present house in 2002, Zebra Longwings were literally everywhere. Now, we rarely see them.

Up here in southern Manitoba we are having the same issues, I have seen a grand total of one butterfly this year, and I might have an idea why. With COVID-19 being an issue, most parks in my city have fired their gardeners. No point gardening when everyone is inside, people are coming out more now, but there are still no flowers. Of course global warming could be an issue, considering the last 20 years have broken the averaged global temperature record every year, year after year. I haven't checked in about 2 years, so maybe 2020 and 2021 wasn't so bad, but at this point a clear pattern has been established.

We have tons of flowers here. Both native and exotic. That could be part of it up there, but Floridians garden tear round, and the commercial properties never let their landscaping go here. Its part of the 'paradise' appeal for tourists here to see a lot of tropical stuff

Climate change, loss of habitat, disruption of reproductive cycle, monoculture, light pollution, eradication of natural food supply, INSECTICIDE use - IOW, human activity.
https://www.nationalgeographic...

The pandemic? Don't think so. I mean things are going to bloom tended or not.
There are likely 6 or 8 good reasons why.

I've seen more Monarch caterpillars here in MN in the previous two years than I have since the mid 70's. No problems in my neck of the woods. I have a picture with 5 Monarch caterpillars on one milkweed plant that I took 2 years ago! That phone died though, so I might not be able to find it.

Rubi, you must have them all on your side of the state! I have seen only 2 Monarchs and a few yellow swallowtails, I have chalked it up to the extreme heat and lack of moisture we have had. I have 4 different milkweed varieties in my yard, also a pronounced lack of bees so far.

I see mostly black and yellow swallowtails here in Temple (Central TX). Down in Gause an hour away, where our getaway cabin is, I see lots of big black butterflies and beaucoup other species I couldn't name. In the spring, there are so many fuzzy and non-fuzzy caterpillars (literally hundreds and hundreds of them on our yard) I don't know if they are awaiting morphing into butterflies or moths. Orange ones, brown ones, white ones, yellow ones and a few Monarchs from time to time. I tried planting some milkweed but it all burned up in the summer sun and oppresive heat 2 years ago. We have a bunch of hummingbird moths down there, too all over the thistles and coneflowers. They all adore all the blanket flowers we let flourish on the pastures.

Monarchs are definitely in a decline; specially the Western ones. I could look up the numbers if anyone wants. The reasons? Habitat decline, destruction of the wintering grounds, mono culture farming, climate change, pesticides.
I read a report from an ecological expert that stated we are simply not planting enough milkweed to make up for what has been destroyed.
I'm pretty sure this would apply to other butterflies, too.

My Butterfly Weed finally started spreading after the mother plant was planted 3 years ago, and still a lot of people still identify Milkweeds as weeds!

No one claimed that these "people are smart", have they??

Thank you all so much for your observations and counsel. It seems the common causes are a confluence of environment encroachment, climate changes and human activity such as artificial fertilizers and then pesticides.

One of my acquaintances just told me today she lost about 90,000 bees because it appears someone had their property sprayed for insects not realizing how far these toxins can travel. They traveled far enough to decimate her hives.

The real challenge here seems to be how to teach/inform/convince people our environment is fragile - it is imperative we make changes to end this type of devastation.

Dove, you are so right! I'm just hoping all our efforts aren't too little too late.