Observation date: July 18, 2020
Date notes: July 18 - July 24, 2020 and currently continuing observation
Submitted by: Peacetou
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: 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 caterpillar of this type ever seen here.
Having anxiously awaited the arrival of the butterfly, today we learn this is the Red Spotted Purple butterfly! Successfully emerged this evening around 10:00 PM we realized it isn't a Lorquin's Admiral but the beautiful Red Spotted Purple. Relooking at the two caterpillars, it's easy to see the confusion. The range maps would have shown one from the other if the strong similarity between the caterpillars had been known. Regardless, the successful care and emergence is the positive. Release first thing in the morning as rain, cool evening determined not best conditions into which to release this beautiful creature!
Status: Resident
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: August 03, 2020
Coordinator notes: None.
