‘Painted Ladies' Swarm San Diego Due to Recent Rain
By Audra Stafford ••
NBC 7’s Audra Stafford spoke with local bug experts, who explain why San Diegans are seeing so many butterflies.
Have you noticed more butterflies fluttering around San Diego County? You're not alone.
Winter rain has not only brought beautiful blooms to San Diego County but has increased by the tens of thousands a population of "painted ladies."
That's because caterpillars feed on those wildflower blooms as they journey from Mexico to the Pacific Northwest to lay their eggs, bug experts with the Living Coast Discovery Center (LCDC) said.
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA)
A path through sand verbena, approaching a ridge topped with desert sunflowers. Borrego's majestic mountains and big sky form the backdrop.
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA)
Amazing expanses of sand verbena blanket sandy flats east of Borrego Springs on Highway S-22, near Mile Marker 31.
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA)
Desert dandelions in full bloom along DiGiorgio Road, along with the scent of citrus blossoms in the air.
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA)
Desert dandelions, with the little red centers.
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA)
A nice variety in bloom: sand verbena, desert chicory, desert sunflowers, and the little white popcorn flower.
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA)
The bloom -- sand verbena and desert sunflowers, at Mile Marker 31 along S-22, east from Borrego Springs.
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA)
Parish's poppy on a hillside along Highway 78, west of the intersection with Texas Dip.
Monica Garske
Beautiful blooms in the garden at the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association along Palm Canyon Drive.
Monica Garske
Beautiful blooms in the garden at the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association along Palm Canyon Drive.
"We actually saw some of the lowest numbers for a lot of species of butterfly throughout California, so this is exciting," LCDC education specialist Aiyana Reissman said.
Painted ladies look similar to a monarch butterfly but are smaller and have a much more intricate design, Reissman said.
Monarch butterflies migrate north from Mexico to several areas along the California coast where they lay eggs during the spring. Monarch butterflies are the only two-way migrators other than birds.
In 2018, a drastic drop was recorded by agencies that track the migration of butterflies. Climate change and deforestation have contributed to a steady decline, though scientists do not know what caused the sudden drop last year.
Butterfly Ranch is a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of the monarch butterfly, which has seen a population decline over the past two decades, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
At Butterfly Farms, located at 441 Saxony Road in Encinitas, visitors can not only see monarch butterflies but a variety of species. Guests may also catch "butterflies" before they transform, either as caterpillars or cocoons.
Butterfly Farms is open April through November 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and their hours vary during the winter. Call (760)613-5867 for exact times.
"They’re going to have a different design as well as different colors throughout their bodies too, making them a very pretty animal to look at," she said.
The swarms of butterflies fly very quickly and erratically, at times reaching speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. The species is found on every continent except Antarctica and South America.
Painted ladies will likely be visible for a few more weeks as they continue their journey north but Reissman said if wet weather persists, it is possible for painted ladies to breed continuously through the year.
