Scorching summers in Central Texas are nothing new. I mean, they’re always hot. But this year we had some next-level heat with temperatures as high as 110, plus humidity, and, of course, no rain for a month straight. So, it wasn’t surprising that both flora and fauna suffered. Only one of my dahlias flowered, one sad little bloom that was at least half a size smaller than it should have been. And the birds ravaged my succulents and Myer lemons–I guess for the moisture, although we have two birdbaths and a pond. But it was the butterfly populations that seemed most affected by the climate.
But that’s one reason to grow native plants, right? They’re better able to adapt to extreme temperatures even when they’re extreme, so that plants and animals have a shot at survival. Even in the extreme heat, I still had my old standby plants to enjoy: sage, milkweed, rock rose, and the annual wildflowers. Nice.
What was sorely missing, though, were the butterflies. Most of the time, I have Monarchs, various swallowtails, fritillaries, sulfurs, etc. all summer long. Not this year. I’m not sure exactly why, but I can make an educated guess that it was because of the heat.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, “Like most butterflies, monarchs are highly sensitive to weather and climate: They depend on environmental cues (temperature in particular) to trigger reproduction, migration, and hibernation.”
Indeed. My neighbor has gotten into raising caterpillars and releasing the butterflies, so early this summer when I found a black swallowtail on some fennel, I gave it to her. Despite the heat, it grew and soon formed its chrysalis. But…it didn’t hatch for over a month until the temperatures cooled off some. Apparently, black swallowtails have been known to go into an extended sort of hibernation when conditions are not right.
Thankfully, though, late September and now October have brought somewhat cooler temperatures along with a little rain, and the butterflies are back. It feels strangely like spring since the summer was so brutal, but now, everything is blooming and colorful and full of the ethereal beauties I love so much.
Gulf fritillary and zinnia.
