Farmers don't need to worry that the painted lady will attack their crops. The larval stages don't feed on crop plants but on weeds like thistles. The adults simply feast on nectar from blossoms, helping pollinate orchards.

Stout has this advice for parents: If children are interested in butterflies, have them look in the yard now. They also can log onto the Web site the society maintains for its children's group, www.utahbugclub.org.

The society's main Web site is www.utahlepsociety.org. Stout is Web master for both. There, anyone interested in the beautiful insects can find information about meetings and field trips.

Utah Bug Club "teaches kids the basics about bugs," he said.

In about a month, children can carefully collect caterpillars from weeds (don't get scratched by thistles!). "They can raise them in a little jar or container and witness their life cycle, which is lots of fun for kids," he said.

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com