Not only did this year's monsoon season bring in record-breaking rain, but it also brought in wildlife. KGUN 9 reported that Southern Arizona is seeing tons of butterflies in the area that usually don't stick around.
Mary Grodman, Town of Marana Natural Resources Recreation Supervisor, said, "Last summer, we didn't really see many butterflies. This Summer, due to all the rains, it's just been a great opportunity."
According to Grodman, hundreds of butterflies have been stopping by the El Rio Preserve. Most of those butterflies are "Queen" butterflies, which are often mistaken for Monarchs.
Grodman said, "Queen butterflies, as well as Monarchs, use milkweed as a host plant. They feed on it. They lay their eggs on it. We do have a lot of milkweed here in the garden."
The best time to see all of the butterflies are in the morning and in the early evening. Monarch butterflies are expected to migrate through the area from September to November. Recently, the population of the butterflies has dramatically declined.
The Town of Marana hopes that blooming milkweed will bring in more butterflies to the preserve. According to Grodman, planting the milkweed in your own yards will help to support the population as well.
Grodman said, "If you can plant different pollinator species in your garden, you're more likely to have a backyard full of butterflies."