Observation date: November 22, 2012
Submitted by: colleen mccarth...
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: as I have continued to observe my little Queen caterpillar, I notice an interesting eating behavior different from the monarchs...it bites the base of the leaf it wants to eat until it bends downward, then climbs to the tip of it and eats upside down. It does this every time. It is growing at a slower rate than its monarch counterparts, and seems more sensitive to the colder weather, i.e. it takes longer to get active and is generally less active throughout the day. Again, please note in the photo attached the second pair of tentacles, as well as yellow strip along the side which is very different from a monarch. thank you, I look forward to hearing your reply. Happy Thanksgiving!
Status: Temporary Colonist
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: November 22, 2012
Coordinator notes: Determination made by Todd Stout. Queens rarely stray to the Pacific Coast. I'll put this in the Season Summary Report of the Lepidopterists' Society. Congratulations!
