Observation date: May 20, 2012
Submitted by: jjcc3
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Last summer, a gigantic lime green catipillar made this cacoon on our deck. This year, it looks like the same grown-up butterfly came back to its same old nest. It sat at the cacoon all day yesterday, and I wonder if it was layhing eggs.
Status: Resident
Verified by: elsner
Verified date: May 31, 2012
Coordinator notes: This is a female, it probably emerged from the cocoon that was made by the caterpillar last year. They do not leave much of an exit hole in the cocoon, so it is hard to tell when one has emerged. They rest for quite some time at the cocoon site while their wings are stiffening. It will seek a mate and then look for host plants to lay the eggs on.
