Wow! Over 300 species of butterflies have been found in the LRGV. Our
yard in Mission has had 144 butterfly species (documented with photos and specimens),
more than are found on 15 states' lists.
There are probably several reasons for these large numbers of butterfly species that are found in
South Texas' Lower Rio Grande Valley:
1) More people willing to document the butterflies through collecting and through raising caterpillars.
2) Fantastic, relatively inexpensive digital zoom cameras only available in the past few years
that are able to document many species, without having to collect them.
3) Excellent field guides and the Internet references that have recently become available.
4) Ever growing number of people in the field that because of all of the above, are out
looking for butterflies, and finding new species. Many of these folks are networking to help each other.
5) Public and private awareness of the need for the planting of native butterfly nectaring and host
plants.
6) Establishing small, medium, and quite large butterfly-specific gardens by federal, county, city
governments, school districts and Valley residents.
7) Awareness and appreciation of government, school entities, businesses, and chambers of commerce of
the economic impact of butterfliers.
8) More rather recently established, re-vegetated, and protected habitat in the Valley than
we have had in many years.
9) Our southern location and close proximity to Mexico as well as rather new Mexican plantings and
Mexican awareness of the economic impact of butterfliers.
10) And probably most important, the willingness of very knowledgeable lepidopterists to share their
experience and knowledge.
Have hardly mentioned our moths and the ever-growing number of folks looking for these beautiful
and unique creatures.
Come see the mariposas y polillas of South Texas' Lower Rio Grande Valley, come often, bring friends,
and use the links on this site to help you find and enjoy our lepidoptera!
