Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1262885

'Astyanax' Red-spotted Purple
Limenitis arthemis astyanax

Observation date: July 18, 2020
Date notes: July 18 to July 23 and continuing observation
Submitted by: Peacetou
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Fifth Instar Lorquin's Admiral caterpillar found in back yard of Western North Carolina mountains under Red Oak, Black Cherry and Sugar Maple trees. After identifying this Western USA species, the current stage and offering food of Black Cherry, Choke Cherry and Black Birch (which was rejected) the caterpillar was placed in a terrarium with likely food source branches. It quickly attacked to a Black Birch branch and began metamorphosis. The caterpillar was found crawling on the arm of a forest green lawn chair under deciduous trees in backyard bordering base of Phoenix Mountain on western flank. Phoenix Mountain is heavily populated with deciduous hardwoods: Red, White, and Water Oaks, Black Walnut, Hickory, Sugar Maple, Yellow Locust, Birch, along with Yellow Poplar, and a few White Pines. Understory is many native wildflowers, ferns and small shrubs. Black Bears, Red and Gray Fox, Wild Turkey, Bobcats and an occasional Panther roam, along with a healthy White Tailed Deer population After placing the caterpillar in the terrarium it immediately attached itself to a Birch branch and began changing to a chrysalis: beginning at the area between the mouth and the antennae, progressing headward then proceeding caudally until encased. After two days, a round black knob, the size of a BB, appeared midway up the dorsal surface, changing within 24 hours to a pup tent shaped point, which gradually became outlined by a black 'V' a quarter of an inch long. The chrysalis is various shades of olive brown and black accents with a silvery gold over wash toward the tail attachment. The chrysalis is currently advancing to completion with rapid changes. Today, July 23, 2020, it has gone from hanging in a vertical position to a 45° swing left followed by a 45° swing to the right! Which is current position, all in four hours or less. An emergence container is constructed into which the chrysalis will be placed soon. Having lived here almost 40 years, this is the first Lorquin's Admiral caterpillar ever seen here. We've never seen an adult Lorquin's Admiral butterfly. There have been no major storms in our area, but there were fairly strong winds out of the northwest a couple of weeks ago. I have no idea how this Lorquin's Admiral caterpillar came to be her! But, we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of the butterfly!
Status: Resident
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: August 03, 2020
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, North Carolina, Ashe County