We have an abundance of butterflies this year. I believe they are gulf fritillary butterflies. I've never seen so many before and wonder what the reason is. Anyone know? Is it one of those events that happens once every 10 years? With so little rain this year, I would have thought that most would not have survived.

I'm certainly not complaining - I love watching them. Just curious why so many.

I don't know, but I had over 30 black swallowtail caterpillars on a single rue plant about a month ago. I was able to get dozens of great photos of them. They might be in the library now (on this website).

Yeah. Saw more monarchs this year than any other as I recall. What's ironic is that they loved the weeds in my front yard! This Fall have seen an emergence of a woody-like weed with a little blue and white flower. One part of the front lawn where it seems the St. Augustine lawn died back one year is more populated by weeds than grass, especially this weed I just described. Well, the monarchs were all over these weeds. Pretty funny.

Do an image search on Texas Astor and see if that identifies you woody plant.
Tony M

I forgot where I saw it, but I think I saw something called Roadside Aster that looked like it. Probably the same thing.

Oh well. Seems like the butterflies have pretty much gone through, so I should probably start pulling it up now.

Check this post about the same flower.
Tony M
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/forum/archive ... /weed.html