What Are These Butterflies?

The orange and brown butterflies flying all over San Antonio and to our west and south are Snout Butterflies or Hackberry Butterflies. Pick one up and look at its head - it has a snout, or long nose! These butterflies lay their eggs on spiney hackberry bushes. In droughty years, the parasitoids, or natural enemies, that normally eat these butterfly eggs and larvae aren't as abundant. As a result, there is nothing to keep the Snout Butterfly population down.

Right now is the migration time for the Snout Butterflies. This is why they are all over the roads and all over the front of your car!

A fun activity to do with the kids is the put out rotting or fermenting fruit to attract the Snout Butterflies. Enjoy them while they last, they shouldn't be around much longer!