I haven't played in a while but recently re-installed all the expansion packs and started playing a new hood.
I've noticed something strange - I have butterflies and fireflies all year round - even in winter, with heavy snow. I could have sworn that this isn't normal. Is this a bug? I have some hacks, but nothing that should affect seasonal things. Anyone had this problem?

Did you patch?

As far as I know, I patched every EP right after installing each

Well I could have sworn its normal. Maxis incompetence. Like the rosebushes with flower in the winter, oh yes its covered in snow alright....but flowers? In "january". Right.
Its not a bug. Trust me. I have grumbled about this long before I discovered something called downloads. (Really amazing stuffs Im telling you!)
And the ladybug house for the garden. Sure. Ladybugs fly around in snowstorms all the time. In maxisland.

It would be good if it's just a Maxis bug.
(I just noticed the Sims 2 site is gone... eh, now I can't even check the list of bugs that each patch fixes :/ )

MTS is now hosting the patches here, and the patch notes are included for each.

That said, I think Gulhare is right, and that the presence of butterflies and fireflies year round is just an oversight. Happens in my game too, although they seem to be more common in the warmer seasons than in the colder ones.

Thanks for the info, Darby

You're welcome.

We really need a "you're welcome" button, I think. I'd rather not post just to say that, and I usually don't, but it feels rude not to acknowledge a "thank you" somehow.

I't in my game also I don't worry about it.

In my game butterflies and fireflies only appear in the summer/spring

Butterflies and fireflies occur all seasons if the temperature is high enough in my game. Never seen them if it's cold enough to snow, but occasionally I see them in the last hours before the snow melts. I assume this is Maxis replicating those occasions where wildlife in real life gets confused and starts doing things in the wrong season. Sometimes, if there's a "warm snap" in the middle of a bitter season, nature does mistake it for spring, with early spring flowers budding and animals exiting hibernation for more than a quick retrieval of food from stores. This all ends when the cold weather comes back, but in The Sims 2, temperatures take rather long to fall again than real life does.

Still seems really strange when it happens (on the computer or in real life).

It doesn't seem normal.. but it sure sounds cool! I want butterflies in the winter!! :D

A while back sims that my playable would invite over sat all night in the snow , playing Don't Wake the Llama...... Did that during rain, as well.
I have all the exp. and stuff packs and everything is patched.
Really funny to see. When they finally got pooped out, they'd leave; in perfect health.
Now with Pescado's wonderful DC hacks ; no one stays that long anymore. ( I mean, really...who do you invite who stays playing your games for 2 days straight in RL ? )

I can't believe I never thought about that. Many of my characters are nature hobbies too! I always look out the window and see the butterflies hovering around. Never stopped and thought, "It's winter! Why are they out here?" Derp.

Haven't seen this yet but will keep a look out for it

I sometimes have butterflies in winter; but I think only when a witch has been responsible for it.

In my games, not only butterflies happen in winter but sometimes winter is almost over and it still hasn't snowed at least once, to the point I have to use an aspiration reward that makes weather, so that my Simmies can build their snowmen. All patches installed and no mods that interfere with weather.