This is a Mexican Fritillary caterpillar on one of it's native larval hosts - damiana...aka Hierba del Venado.
We found quite a bit of this growing out in Roma/Rio Grande City (Starr county). (We = Phil Schappert, two botanists/naturalists from our local NABA IBP - Ann & Javier and myself).
The weather was downright chilly! 45 degrees with some wind...brrrrrrr!!! Yet, we saw a handful of late instar caterpillars on the damiana.
~ Cat
...and a Mexican Fritillary chrysalis we saw in a small shrub right next to where a patch of damiana was growing.
~ Cat
wow you have me wishing for spring already
What a pretty cat and chysalis! I'm surprised they can handle those temps.
You know I love that Cat!!
I am suprised too...those poor cats must have been soooooooooo cold! The only butterflies we saw were just a handful and that was because we brushed up against the grass or bushes they were roosting on and they flew out. Will say when that happened they quickly flew to the ground or a nearby twig - they just can't fly much when it's cold so they make perfect subjects for the camera. Phil was kind enough to nudge them onto his warm hand and tuck them back into the bush.
Am hoping the weather is cooperative today...our forecast says the sun will come out and it will get into the high 70's. Gonna fix breakfast then drive to the NABA IBP.
~ Cat
Oh boy Cat!! What a fun day! Wish I was there....:-D
((checks southwest fares to south texas)) hehe
