Like monarchs, which they resemble, painted lady butterflies are migratory, heading to the Desert Southwest for the winter. In the fall of 2017, their swarms were especially large along the Colorado Front Range and, this March, the migrating ladies created a spectacle in Southern California, the result of a massive desert bloom that was triggered by heavy winter rains in that region.
Early this evening, when I went out to look for new summer birds on our Littleton farm, my search was disrupted by the steady movement of painted ladies across the landscape. Moving from southwest to northeast, these fast flying butterflies (capable of reaching 25 mph) constantly caught my eye. Within a half hour, I'm certain I saw at least 1000 of the hardy migrants, anxious to reach their breeding sites.
Preferring to lay their eggs on thistles and related plants, painted ladies utilize most habitats in Colorado and may be observed throughout the warmer months. However, it is in mid spring and early autumn when their mass migrations may catch the eye of even the least attentive observers of nature. This evening's spectacle will certainly be long remembered by this naturalist.
Early this evening, when I went out to look for new summer birds on our Littleton farm, my search was disrupted by the steady movement of painted ladies across the landscape. Moving from southwest to northeast, these fast flying butterflies (capable of reaching 25 mph) constantly caught my eye. Within a half hour, I'm certain I saw at least 1000 of the hardy migrants, anxious to reach their breeding sites.
Preferring to lay their eggs on thistles and related plants, painted ladies utilize most habitats in Colorado and may be observed throughout the warmer months. However, it is in mid spring and early autumn when their mass migrations may catch the eye of even the least attentive observers of nature. This evening's spectacle will certainly be long remembered by this naturalist.
