Date: 09/17/2019

Number: 5000

They have been here for at least 2-3 weeks now. We started to notice large amounts of them late August and they have grown in numbers steadily over the last couple of weeks. We have a huge patch of clover growing in the field behind us and several trees surrounding the fields that they are nesting in. The sighting was documented and 6 butterflies we tagged by Kylee Baumle 9/17/19.

Image courtesy of Kylee Baumle


Editor's note: contacted observer for more details on this sighting

I can definitely verify that they were roosting here on August 29th.

The picture is of the tail end of a swarm of butterflies I saw while I was mowing by the trees. It was taken on August 29th. At that time I would guess there were hundreds in that area of my yard. I never really checked the other side of my yard so I couldn’t tell you if they were roosting there also at that time. It seems like they are staying close to mostly mine and my close neighbors' trees. The neighbors a little down the road had no idea they were here because the seem to stay in this area.

I had Kylee estimate the number of butterflies because she’s more of an expert than me. All of mine and my neighbors' trees are absolutely full of them. When she came back for a second visit we both questioned the original estimate of 5,000 that I gave you because we went out at sunrise and the amount seemed more. We decided each tree had at least hundreds in them and a few had to have had at least a thousand. We have a little over 20 trees on both properties. She said she has never seen anything like it outside of Mexico. Except for in Mexico you can’t see the branches at all.

Overnight temps recently have been in the mid 60’s.

They seem to roost on the North and West sides of the trees that I’ve noticed. And not exactly sure which way the wind was blowing then but it feels like it’s coming from the South now.

Woodburn, IN

Latitude: 41.1 Longitude: -84.8

Observed by: Jessica
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