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[pct-l] Painted Ladies on the move



Continuing with the general theme of how this year's high rainfall has 
changed things:

Today in San Diego County there are millions of butterflies called Painted 
Ladies that are trekking westward from the deserts further east. In years of 
high rainfall, the small caterpillars experience greatly improved survival 
and increased availability of nutritious vegetation compared to normal 
years. The crowded conditions in the larval stage induce a migratory 
behavior manifested in the adult butterfly stage. To hasten the migration, 
there are strong Santa Ana winds blowing offshore owing to a high pressure 
system further inland. The result is millions of butterflies dancing about 
the county. There are 'waterfalls of butterflies' travelling down the desert 
arroyos but they are dancing all about the chapparal as well-- even as far 
west as the coastal areas. The migration is just starting. Unfortunately, it 
will probably be well over by the kick off,  but the butterflies should 
still be present in higher densities this year.