FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) - If you noticed lots of butterflies lately, you're not alone. Looking similar, but slightly muted in color and smaller than Monarch Butterflies.
Alex Knudson, in the NDSU Entomology Department says they are called Painted Ladies, related to Monarch's, in the same filiy but another species that uses different hosts. There's been an explosion of the Painted Ladies in the Fargo area and statewide.
Also known as the Thistle Butterfly,as caterpillars, they flourish on thistles, soybeans and even corn.
Knudson says if you haven't seen as many Monarch Butterflies this summer, it's because of die-off's caused of loss of habitat from logging at winter migration sites in pine forests of Mexico and California.