Butterfly Migration and Population Surges
Butterflies in History & Culture
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Most southwest butterflies live out their entire lives within the same region, although there are a few migratory species like the famous Monarch. Monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains usually overwinter in the mountains in Mexico's mainland; and Monarch's in the west are usually spotted in areas along the California coastline and northern Baja.
Sometimes when there has been enough winter rain for a lot of plant growth in the spring, there are major butterfly surges due to the increased amount of host plants that act as a home for the butterfly eggs and food source for the caterpillars. These butterflies travel in their surges such as the millions of Painted Ladies who will head north into the Southwest from Mexico's desert regions; and the California Tortoiseshell who are usually a scarce butterfly to Southern California's mountain chaparral regions, travel down from the mountains and into the valleys and occasionally into the deserts.
Most butterfly species overwinter (hibernate) as eggs, larvae or pupae; but with the mild winters in the southern regions of the southwest, a number of species survive the winter in their adult butterfly state, including Mourning Cloaks, Common Buckeyes, and Queens.

Butterflies in History and Cultures
In Chinese culture, the butterfly is a symbol of immortality, and conjugal bliss. When seen with a chrysanthemum, it symbolizes beauty in old age; and if seen with a plum, it symbolizes long life. A jade butterfly was celebrated as a symbol of love.
In Japanese culture, their beliefs are similar to the Chinese, and when a pair of butterflies are seen it symbolizes a happy marriage.
The double axe from the Bronze Age is said to symbolize a butterfly, and could possibly come from the original hourglass-shape of the Goddess who symbolized death and regeneration. The Slavonic, Greek and Germanic words 'mara', 'morava', and 'mora', all have two meanings - 'nightmare' and 'butterfly'. It is possible that the Death Goddess of Lithuania (More), and of Ireland (Maro or Mara), may have something to do with this Mediterranean interpretation. In Greek culture - especially shown in their art, the butterfly is a symbol of the soul and represents immortality. The goddesses of the seasons (The Horae), were often portrayed with butterfly wings.
A number of cultures including Japanese, Mexican, Siberian and Celtic; believe that a white butterfly represents the spirit or soul of a person who has passed away.
In many Native American cultures it is believed that the butterfly has power over whirlwinds, which causes the butterfly to flutter its wings, fly away and return. To many the butterfly also symbolizes change, joy and color. In the Hopi tradition, unwed girls of the butterfly clan wear their hair in the shape of butterfly wings. There are also stories how butterflies come when called by the children of the Nez Perce Tribe.
The love goddess of Mexico (Xochiquetzal) is usually portrayed as a butterfly that has a human head.
In Serbia, it is said that if you kill a butterfly, you have killed a witch.
The Scottish believe that if a golden yellow butterfly appears near the deceased, that it is a sign of eternal happiness.
Some superstitious people believe that if the first butterfly you see in the year is yellow, then you may develop a sickness. It is also believed that if you see three butterflies on a leaf, then bad luck is in your future. Another superstition is that a butterfly flying at night is a symbol of death.