Butterfly debate: Will mild winter hurt or help local butterfly population?

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- There's an argument of sorts over how many butterflies we'll have this summer.

A new Notre Dame study claims a mild winter is a detriment to butterfly populations, but Sarrett Nature Center in Benton Harbor said just the opposite.

The director of the butterfly preserve told us that we could actually see more butterflies, thanks to the warmer winter.

"All you have to do is look further south into South America, Central America, where there's no frost at all... and butterflies by the bazillion," said Chuck Nelson.

Butterflies are essential for pollenating flowers and crops.

They also provide a source of food for birds.