Where have all the Butterflies gone ?

Question

The mint bush in my garden (Norway) usually attracts multitudes of butterflies ,over 100 on some days,Last year i noticed a sharp decline ,This year not a single butterfly. What has happened to them .

Answer 1

Remember first come the caterpillars then come the butterflies. I remember years ago all the weeds in green areas left vacant used to be covered in caterpillars and there were loads of butterflies around in August. Now all those areas are housing estates and ppl dnt want weeds in their gardens. So I keep a big weed patch (you know the really tall weeds with the yellow flowers) at the bottom of my garden and caterpillars are the only insect I allow eat my primroses.

I get plenty of butterflies around the place.

Answer 2

I have an abundance of butterflies in my garden as well as hummers; I plant native plants for both; however, I've had times where predatory insects and birds eat the caterpillars and the larvae before they go through the life cycle of becoming a full-blown butterfly. Some years are less abundant than others.

Answer 3

It's only the past month I have started to see butterflies in my garden.Buddlias or Butterfly bushes are good for attracting them.

Answer 4

I do believe the use of chemical insecticides has severely damaged the butterfly populaion.  I have less every year.  

Answer 5

I live in the UK and have been asking exactly that question all year.  Perhaps butterflies are particular to one climate range, and only show up in areas that enjoy that climate.  That's just what I hope is the answer.