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Another Painted Lady Irruption in the Upper Midwest

July 31, 2019

One month after the last Painted Lady irruption in the final days of June, another generation, perhaps even larger, suddenly emerged in central Iowa on July 29 and 30.  I went out on a survey and collecting trip in Story and Boone Counties on the 30th, and found hundreds of fresh butterflies milling around and flying across Highway 17 and other local roads between Boone and Luther.  There was also a large emergence between Polk City and Ankeny, with perhaps 200 along a stretch of highway between these towns.  Hundreds were also observed along Interstate 80 in eastern Polk, Ja