Dearth of butterflies this year

[Shortsighted]

Has anyone else noticed a scarcity of butterflies and moths.
I don't expect I should need to wave swarms of them from my face,
but I did anticipate frequent sightings of the most common winged
gems and perhaps a special visitor now and then. The garden was
replete with blooms that have attracted wasps more than anything
else. Fewer birds and fewer butterflies in the parks, but a lot more
garbage.

[Paul O'Toole]

Your 5th one looks to be a Viceroy. The coloring and pattern of monarch and viceroy wings look nearly identical. However, a viceroy has a black line crossing the postmedian hindwing.

[Shortsighted]

Thanks for the heads-up about that Monarch wannabe.
I figured it was a Viceroy because the wing tips were different.
I just haven't yet learned how to label the images.
I figure anyone looking at them probably knows what they are.
Thanks for your opinion. I need all the help I can get.

[Dr. John]

Lovely photos.

I don't know about other species, but we saw way more Monarchs this year compared to last year.  I've seen many in recent days migrating.  We also had caterpillars and confirmed hatching of Monarchs in our garden for the first time ever (have always seen Monarchs laying eggs, but never any results afterwards).

[BetCrooks]

I guess it may depend on where you are. Around here, and in south Mississauga/Oakville, it's been a great year for butterflies. Red Admirals, Monarchs, Painted and American Ladies and Question Marks arrived early in numbers and their families have multiplied and are now heading back. Also some less frequent visitors like an American Snout.

Painted Lady numbers have been awesome in many parts of Canada this year. Records of huge groups moving south are coming in from across Ontario and east. You may want to check the project to improve info on their migration at e-butterfly.org
(If you haven't already you may want to report your sightings above too. Unlike eBird, e-butterfly doesn't have as many active listers.

Sorry your area hasn't been having as good a summer. Maybe next year!

[Shortsighted]

Thank you all for your perspective. I'm surprised but delighted that there
are indeed butterfly numbers out there ... somewhere. Perhaps I just
wasn't observant enough, or was trying to look at too many things at once,
insects, plants, fungi and birds.