TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – If you have noticed swarms of butterflies fluttering across roadways and gardens throughout Southern Arizona lately, you are not imagining things.

A massive influx of American snout butterflies is traveling through the Sonoran Desert from South Texas and Northern Mexico just in time for fall. Experts say it is the largest wave the region has witnessed since 2021.

At Tohono Chul botanical gardens on Tucson’s northwest side, dozens can be seen darting around the entrance and gathering near damp terrain.

Botanists say the boom is tied directly to the weather.

“Our butterflies respond to rainfall, and for butterflies that operate well under warm temperatures and are sensitive to frost, our monsoon rainfall is really going to dictate how many and what sort of diversity that we have in a given year,” said Jack Dash, gardens and facilities manager at Tohono Chul. “The main factor that will drive an abundance of butterflies is going to be rainfall and the availability of water.”

During drier seasons, only enough butterflies emerge to reproduce and sustain the next generation. But for massive numbers to migrate across the region, a rare alignment of temperature, humidity, and abundant late-monsoon rain is required.

Currently, large clusters are flocking to flowing streams, muddy regions, and flower-filled spots like Sabino Canyon, Madera Canyon, and local botanical gardens.

Many are also engaging in a behavior known as “puddling”—congregating around damp soil, washes, and standing water.

“Not only are they getting water, but they’re also getting minerals out of that mud pile that will help them find a mate and also ensure they are able to pass some of those minerals to the mate and therefore to the offspring,” Dash explained.

Because these butterflies frequently gather directly in muddy road dips and street puddles, experts urge drivers to slow down, avoid splashing directly through standing water where swarms are resting, and let them feed undisturbed.

Residents can also support the travelers in their own backyards by planting nectar-rich native blooms and providing shaded rest spots.

Because monsoon rainfall patterns fluctuate drastically year to year, experts encourage wildlife enthusiasts and photographers to grab a pair of binoculars and enjoy the rare desert spectacle while the conditions last.

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Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s ex-bodyguard turned lover allegedly trashed her Arizona home while she was out of town — causing more than $200,000 in damage as he tossed dozens of valuable paintings into her pool.

Sinema (I-Ariz.) accused her “former boyfriend” Matthew Ammel of launching his destructive rampage through her Cave Creek home on Aug. 30, according to KPNX.

Ammel, 39, allegedly threatened to destroy the former senator’s artwork every 10 minutes if she didn’t concede to his demands and make a post to X, the outlet reported, citing court documents.

The video’s description and motive behind Ammel’s demands were not revealed.

The 50-year-old Democrat-turned-Independent refused the order as Ammel threw approximately 22 paintings from around Sinema’s home into the pool.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the house on Sept. 3, where they discovered the paintings still underwater along with another piece of artwork defaced with black spray paint.

The damaged paintings were estimated at $123,015.

Ammel also allegedly broke multiple expensive alcohol bottles, shattering them around the home and into the pool before throwing at least one at a large mounted mirror, destroying it.

The additional damages combined with the paintings grew to an estimated total of over $200,000.

Ammel, 39, was arrested on Sept. 19 and charged with felony criminal damage, according to court records viewed by The Post.

He was found at a behavioral health center after a petition was filed for an involuntary psychiatric evaluation, AZFamily reported.

An initial court appearance was held for Ammel’s felony charge, but the suspect never physically stood before a judge because he was allegedly fighting in the hallway.

“They’re saying that he’s combative and he’s in the hallway,” a Maricopa County sheriff’s deputy told the court during the hearing, according to the outlet.

The Army veteran, who suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries from his multiple deployments to the Middle East, was released without bond and placed on electronic monitoring despite court officials questioning his mental state.

Sinema’s relationship with her former bodyguard became public after Ammel’s ex-wife of 14 years sued the former politician under North Carolina’s “homewrecker law.”

Heather Ammel accused Sinema of destroying her marriage with her ex-husband by sustaining an affair with him during their trips together around the world.

“Prior to [Sinema’s] actions, Plaintiff and Mr. Ammel were happily married and genuine love and affection existed between them,” Heather Ammel alleged.

The affair broke out a little over a year after Ammel was hired to Sinema’s protection detail in 2022.

Sinema allegedly bought Ammel gifts and paid for him to receive psychedelic treatment during the home-wrecking relationship.

She invited him as a guest to a wedding and a Taylor Swift concert.

Sinema, the first openly bisexual person elected to Congress, admitted to having repeated sex with Ammel in cities across America beginning around Memorial Day 2024.

“We were staying at an Airbnb in Napa, California. We were outside. Matt kissed me. We went inside and had sex,” the former senator explained during her July 31 deposition, court records show.

Heather Ammel is seeking over $75,000 in damages, and a judge has allowed the lawsuit to go forward.

Sinema has denied the allegations and has requested a jury trial with a pretrial conference scheduled for Oct. 22, KTAR News reported.

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — An active police scene has shut down a west Phoenix neighborhood after a body was found early Wednesday morning.

Few details have been released at this time, but Arizona’s Family witnessed a body in the road near 103rd Avenue and Broadway Road.

Police have closed 99th Avenue to 104th Avenue, and in the neighborhood near 104th Avenue and Wood Street.

Arizona’s Family crews witnessed a large portion of the area closed and a Phoenix police command van parked on the side of the street. Several homicide detectives are on scene collecting evidence and searching the Sunset Farms neighborhood.

Arizona’s Family has reached out to Phoenix police for additional information. Residents and drivers are asked to avoid the area as the investigation continues.

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