This post originated from an RSS feed registered with Java Buzz by Elliotte Rusty Harold. Original Post: Baby Mourning Cloaks Feed Title: Mokka mit Schlag Feed URL: http://www.elharo.com/blog/feed/atom/? Feed Description: Ranting and Raving Latest Java Buzz Posts Latest Java Buzz Posts by Elliotte Rusty Harold Latest Posts From Mokka mit Schlag

I found several Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) caterpillars and chrysalises on a small restroom strcuture in Mason park these last few days. This one is just getting started:

I’m not sure how long it takes one to spin a cocoon. This caterpillar and another were in exactly the same positions 18 hours later.

Here’s the finished cocoon from one who got started a little earlier. If it had been on a tree instead of a brick building I would have walked right past it without giving it a second look:

This is what it will look like when it emerges: