As butterfly populations drop, N.J. man heightens awareness of winged-insect

star ledger ^ | August 20, 2009 | Sarah Schillaci

[Coleus]

There are thousands of varieties of the insect, their movements are fascinating and their population numbers are excellent indicators of the environment. They transform, within weeks, from squishy, accordion-like caterpillars to winged creatures whose pollination keeps wild plants and flowers alive. Some, like the famed Monarch, migrate thousands of miles with the seasons, while many may never travel more than 100 yards from where they were born.

"There's a lot going for them," said Jeffrey Glassberg, president and founder of the North American Butterfly Association, which he runs out of an office in his Convent Station home. And with butterfly populations around the country plummeting this year, attention to the them has been heightened.

In recent counts, the numbers for many varieties are barely half what they were last year. Although the weather could be to blame for the decrease, some point to graver environmental concerns. "There is no effective effort in the state to try to preserve [butterflies]," said Joe Burgiel, president of the North Jersey branch of the organization.

Still, for Glassberg and many of the 5,000 members of the nationwide organization, the brilliance of butterflies comes in the hours spent traveling, hiking and waiting to capture images of them. "It's both very intense and...very relaxing," Glassberg said. "You're not thinking about your problems at work or your dissatisfied love life."

Since 1992, Glassberg has led butterfly enthusiasts around the country in tracking, studying and working to preserve the insect. A molecular biologist by trade, Glassberg patented DNA footprinting in the early 1980s. The proceeds from the patent allowed him to retire to follow his passion and has since written butterfly field guides and now leads butterfly tracking trips. He has more than 50,000 photographs of butterflies from around the world on his computer,

[Coleus]

A photo of a Monarch butterly taken in August in Morris County.

Jeffrey Glassberg, president of the North American Butterfly Association,
looks at the different species landing on his butterfly bush at his home in Morristown on August 12.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“The proceeds from the [DNA] patent allowed him to retire to follow his passion and has since written butterfly field guides and now leads butterfly tracking trips.”

Wow! More money than God, and all day long to do nothing but look at butterflies.

Sign me up! :)

I have a TON of Monarch on my property. We have dozens of them flitting around in my Nursery Yard at work, too. No shortage here in southern WI that I can see.

I’m not sure they spend a whole lot of time in New Jersey; I know I wouldn’t, LOL!

[fortunate sun]

since we have owned a house we have owned butterfly bushes. many butterflies and hummingbirds, moths and bees

[NautiNurse]

No shortage of butterflies around here the past two weeks. Have never seen so many in the past 11 years.

[tsomer]

In recent counts, the numbers for many varieties are barely half what they were last year. Although the weather could be to blame for the decrease, some point to graver environmental concerns.

SURPRISE! Bet you thought this article was about butterflies.

But there is a silver lining: fewer caterpillars eating your shrubbery and such.

[mom-7]

Cold, wet spring decrease in butterflies. I have some in my yard this year but not as many as in years past and I attribute it to the cold wet spring. Lots of bees, allkinds, and humming birds.

[coconutt2000]

We are coming to the end of our monarch butterfly season here in the South Pacific. Once completed we’re cutting back our milk weed bushes.

Oddly enough I did notice that the population this year has been dismal.

[hinckley buzzard]

not as many as in years past and I attribute it to the cold wet spring.

That's probably true. Butterflies are "solar powered" creatures--they cannot fly until sufficiently warmed by the sun. Really.

[novemberslady]

Many moons ago there was a wonderful woman in NJ, that I only remember as the Butterfly Lady.
After one of my sons had a class trip to her place, he became very interested in raising butterflies,so I got in touch with her.

Her son was originally the one raising them, but she kept on with them after he (lost interest?), I can't remember.

Don't know what ever happened to her, but I believe to this day she was responsible for the many butterflies in my yard.

I still think of her and smile every time I see one. (:

[B-Chan]

No population drop here in Texas. My yard, which is xeriscaped with native Texan plants, is fluttering with butterflies every morning, along with three species of bee and hummingbirds to boot. Secret: sage (salvia). They love it.