Viceroy Caterpillar 5-14-2008 - Limenitis archippus

Moved

Moved from Viceroy.

… David J. Ferguson, 30 June, 2009 - 5:31pm

Viceroy Caterpillar

This green caterpillar emerged on 5-28-2008. The brown version was still as a chrysalis and docile as a butterfly; whereas this green version waited longer to make a chrysalis, vigorously jolted back and forth whenever I moved the container, and wouldn't hold still for a photo as a butterfly. ?Coincidence or gender? I've monitored the small willow shrub they were on....there were no less than 12 caterpillars originally, but day by day there have been less with no signs of chrysalis'. Do they go underground? Or is it possible birds have been plucking them one by one? There are only two left on the bush....maybe I should get them indoors?

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 28 May, 2008 - 8:07pm

White Admiral/Viceroy/Red-spotted Purple

All 3 feed on willow, which is no help, but the White Admiral is more common in Northern states, while the Red-spotted is more common South. Viceroys seem to be everywhere.....you have the Spring brood, so stick the caterpillar in a jar (so the spiders don't feast) with some willow leaves and see what comes out. 30 days will tell the tale. If I was to bet, I'd say Viceroy. I've seen more green flavored ones turn out as Viceroys than the other two.

… Danny Mims, 15 May, 2008 - 4:25pm

Larva

Thanks, Danny. I'll fetch two of them and wait to see what develops. Is the cycle - butterfly lays eggs in the late summer, eggs hatch in the fall, overwinter in the rolled leaves, and then pupate in the spring? ...and do the smaller brown ones turn green when they get bigger?

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 15 May, 2008 - 8:03pm

Green vs Brown

Sometimes they green...sometimes they brown. Truthfully, there seems to be no rhyme or reason for dual colors, except for the most obvious one--survival. Birds watch and learn from each other, one eats brown caterpillar...they all eat brown caterpillar... ergo green caterpillar slides right on by, perpetuation of the species. One thing is for sure though, God does enjoy variety.

… Danny Mims, 15 May, 2008 - 10:24pm

Either a Viceroy or a Red Spotted Purple

It looks to be feeding on a willow which may help separate the two.

… john and jane balaban, 14 May, 2008 - 8:41pm

Viceroy or Red-spotted

Thanks for narrowing this down. I'll watch the bush and wait for a chrysalis to collect.

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 14 May, 2008 - 10:47pm