Are You Seeing Butterflies in Massachusetts?

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UMass Extension has been contacted recently with concerns about perceived butterfly decline in certain areas of Massachusetts in 2020. No sampling or data-driven information is available to support or refute these concerns. If you have seen butterflies on your property or properties that you manage, we want to hear about it!

According to Mass Audubon's Butterfly Atlas, from 1986-1990, hundreds of volunteer butterfly enthusiasts spent thousands of hours sampling butterflies across the state, and confirmed at least 102 different species of butterflies in MA. (This does not include moths.) For more information, visit: https://www.massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/insects-arachnids/butterflies/butterfly-atlas

The following survey will ask about just a few of those species that may be more recognizable to some. Please respond to the questions below.

Email *

What town and state do you live in? *

What town and state were your observations made in? *

What date or dates are your observations from? *

How do you feel butterfly populations in Massachusetts in 2020 compare to previous years? *

A general perceived increase

A general perceived decrease

They seem about the same as I am used to

Some have increased, some have decreased

I am unsure

On the date or dates of observation, describe the general weather conditions at your location. *

How many American copper (Lycaena phlaeas americana) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many cabbage white (Pieris rapae) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many clouded sulphur (Colias philodice) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many painted lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

How many viceroy (Limenitis archippus) butterflies have you seen in Massachusetts in 2020? (Image: Butterfly Atlas, MA Audubon) *

1-5

5-10

10-50

50-100

100+

Please list any additional butterfly species you have seen thus far in Massachusetts in 2020:

Please describe your general ability to identify butterflies, including any training (formal or otherwise) you have in insect identification. *

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