Bounties of Butterflies in Lake Tahoe
From SouthTahoeNow.com:
If you thought you were seeing many more butterflies around Lake Tahoe than normal, you would be correct. The entire Lake Tahoe Basin is in the midst of a massive outbreak of the winged beauties, especially in the Angora Fire burn area and along the east shore.
What most people are seeing is the California Tortoiseshell Butterfly, orange and black on the top of the wings, shades of black underneath. They thrive on the Mountain Whitethorn, part of the Ceanothus family, something that itself is thriving where the Angora fire burned in 2007.
Five to six weeks ago there was a large flush of butterflies from lower elevations. That group laid their eggs in Lake Tahoe, and what people are now seeing around Lake Tahoe is that new group of butterflies.
A big winter and warm summer created healthy leaves on the whitethorn, something caterpillars thrive on and the local shrubs and trees continue to provide for the butterfly.
