In 2000, 422 4th of July butterfly counts were held, including 3 counts (so far) received after deadline to be published in next year's report. The strong annual growth in number of counts in the 1990s continued this year, with a 7% increase over the 395 counts in 1999 (including 10 being published in the 2000 report). This rate was down from the 12% spurt last year, but up from the 4% increase from 1997 to 1998 and 6% from 1996 to 1997. The same three counts continued their perfect attendance record of reporting in each year of the program (Berkeley, CA; Gilpin County, CO; Lower Pearl River, LA MS) - congratulations!

     The 349 counts in the U.S. in 2000 (325 in 1999, 300 in 1998, 296 in 1997, 285 in 1996) occurred in 44 states (counting DC as a state). Since 1996, the number of states with counts has consistently hovered at 44-45. Who was missing in 2000? Alabama, Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Utah, and West Virginia. The 66 Canadian counts (the same as in 1999, after great increases from 47 in 1998, 34 in 1997, and 29 in 1996) occurred in 5 provinces, down from 7 in 1999 and 6 in 1997-98, but the same as in 1996. Mexico had a record 7 counts in 3 states, up from 4 (including 2 late counts) in 1999 in 2 states, and 5 in 1997-98 and 4 in 1996 in 3 states each of those years.

     The graph (above) shows the number of counts in the state (U.S.) and province (Canada) with the most counts that year. At 30 counts in 2000 (28 in 1999, 13 in 1997), Alberta continues its record-breaking total for any state or province. Ontario had been the province with the most counts for the previous seven years (1992-1998), as well as in 1988-1989. With 27 counts in 2000 (26 in 1999, 25 in 1998), California remains in second place, which it now shares with Florida (19 in 1999, 21 in 1998). Next come two states (New York, Texas) and one province (Ontario) with 22 counts each. California has been the state with the most counts for every year from 1983 to 2000 (sharing this record once each with Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin), except for one year (1993), when Wisconsin alone held that record.

     As usual, the count with the most species occurred in Mexico, with 140 on Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and 133 on Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. The all-time records are 175 on La Bajada, Nayarit in 1998 and 169 on Puerto Vallarta in 1991. North of Mexico, Gilpin County, CO continues supreme in species totals, with 101 in 2000 (shy of its incredible all-time record of 111 in 1998). Also as usual, the next most speciose counts were in Arizona, with 90 at Ramsey Canyon and 86 at Patagonia. The highest Arizona species total remains 102 (Ramsey Canyon in 1995 and 1997, and Patagonia in 1992).

Copyright © 2001 by the North American Butterfly Association, Inc. All rights reserved.