mourning cloak cat

I used to be afraid of these, thought those 'stickers" were stingers. They are harmless(unless you are a pansy) and don't eat much. I didn't hurt him, he curled up when I picked him up.

Cool never see this color pretty. What kind is butterfly???

RR, it's a Mourning Cloak. http://www.saugusriver.org/mourning-cloak-2.jpg

Oh that is so beautiful butterfly, thank you so much for show me hyperlink. I love that one never see like this one send me here LOL.

He's sure going to be pretty when he grows up. I don't think we have those here, at least not many.

Cala, what is the host plant? would love to draw those here.

TiG, they are always on my pansies.

http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/olbrich/Development/Exhibit%20Pages/Butterfly_Bonanza/Butterfly%20Data/mourning_cloak.htm
I thought this was a pretty good link. Do you also have these trees and plants around your place?


This message was edited Friday, Sep 20th 9:31 PM

Yes, we have most of those. It's funny though, we never see the cats till the pansies bloom. A few weeks later, there they are, munching away.

They know the tasty stuff when they see it!

Hi Calalily

This caterpillar is actually not of a mourning cloak butterfly, but of the Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia). These butterflies will lay their eggs on a variety of plants, including pansies. Mourning cloaks are closely related (both are in the butterfly family Nymphalidae) but are mostly black/grey with a row of dorsal red spots. They too have black spines. Usually mourning cloak caterpillars are found in groups on willow, poplar, or elm. For more info try here: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/usa/62.htm

can you point me to a mourning cloak cat???

sure, try here: http://www.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/nymphalidae/nymphalinae/nymphalis/antiopa-1l.jpg

very easy to remember, thanks

Wow, I learned something new!! I was wondering where the cats came from since I never saw the mourning cloaks around, and then I looked at the frit cats on my passifloras and thought they looked a lot alike, not exact but similar.