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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Butterflies (Lepidoptera) (8 Galleries) >> Butterfly Larvae and Pupae > Mourning cloak butterfly larvae (Nymphalis antiopa)
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11-JUN-2014 Christine Hanrahan

Mourning cloak butterfly larvae (Nymphalis antiopa)

There were many caterpillars clustered on a small Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) tree not far from the Ottawa River. They turn into a beautiful butterfly (inset photo), which is also known as the Camberwell Beauty in England. The caterpillars are often called Spiny Elm Caterpillars. Thanks to Ross Layberry (co-author, Butterflies of Canada) for confirming the ID and letting me know that these are the 3rd instar.

Panasonic LUMIX FZ200
1/200s f/2.8 at 4.5mm iso125 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time11-Jun-2014 11:46:50
MakePanasonic
ModelDMC-FZ200
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length4.5 mm
Exposure Time1/200 sec
Aperturef/2.8
ISO Equivalent125
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Ulla Kruys24-Aug-2014 17:22
An excellent presentation with the mature butterfly pasted in the corner! V
Chris Morton13-Jun-2014 10:07
an amazing collection and interesting explanation
Ika Zinka Eferl12-Jun-2014 21:13
Wau !Great!V***
Karen Stuebing12-Jun-2014 21:01
Outstanding with the mass of caterpillars and the butterfly in the image too. V.
hayl12-Jun-2014 14:43
Wow, a knot of caterpillars that magically becomes beautiful butterflies - well done.
Guest 12-Jun-2014 11:18
Mourning cloaks make a rare appearance in my neighborhood, but are so welcome for their beauty. Was not familiar with their caterpillar. V
pascal12-Jun-2014 10:49
Very interesting shot.
Yvonne12-Jun-2014 10:49
We have a similar one that clusters on our eucalyptus trees Christine... superb shot. v
Helen Betts12-Jun-2014 10:39
Yikes, what a gathering! Hard to imagine them turning into something as beautiful as that butterfly, and yet one can see the beginnings in the color. V.
Raymond12-Jun-2014 10:22
The beauty and the beast ... nature is so amazing.
John Reynolds LRPS12-Jun-2014 05:01
An amazing sight. V.
Margot W12-Jun-2014 04:39
What beauties they will turn into. Not too fond of this stage I think.
Ann Pettigrew12-Jun-2014 04:03
Wow! This is so cool, Christine! I have never seen the MC caterpillars. Great shot!
joseantonio12-Jun-2014 04:00
Amazng image. Thank you for your lesson again.V.
Esa Ervasti12-Jun-2014 03:47
A mass of spikes :-)
globalgadabout12-Jun-2014 03:22
the writhing mass looks so frantic, yet the adult so elegant...pulsating images....V
Claude Gagnon12-Jun-2014 03:02
Great find and shot Christine :))
Jim Coffman12-Jun-2014 02:59
Wow,what a find! They certainly turn out beautiful...
Glenn Dean (Vatorman)12-Jun-2014 02:51
I would never suspected those caterpillars morphed into the cloak butterfly.
Great presentation Christine.
Stephen Buckingham12-Jun-2014 02:49
That's quite the swarm. Mourning Cloak is one of my favorites.
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