(July 21, 2006)--Wildlife experts say the weather's been just right to create an abundance of butterflies in parts of Central and South Texas.
The swarms of American snout butterflies took flight about a week ago.
They've been spotted across the region in places such as Eagle Pass, Hondo, San Antonio and Kerr County.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist Mike Quinn says it's safe to say there are millions of the insects.
The snout butterflies pose no danger to plants or people.
They're named for their flattened noses that help them resemble a dead leaf.
The underside of the wing is whitish, while the top is orange, brown and white.
Experts say the prolonged drought destroyed the insects that kill the butterfly in the caterpillar stage.
Then heavy rains in early July nurtured spiny hackberry trees, which support the snouts.
Quinn said snout swarms aren't unusual, but this year's is bigger than most.
