Avoid Touching These Common Garden
The Hidden Beauty of Mourning Cloak Butterfly Eggs
I recently discovered strange black geometric patterns on my garden leaves and feared an infestation.
Instead, they were the eggs of the Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa), laid in clusters that form delicate, lace-like designs — tiny masterpieces of nature.
When they hatch, small black caterpillars with white spots and spiny bodies emerge.
They feed on willow, elm, and poplar leaves, posing no threat to garden plants. After several molts, they form chrysalises and transform into beautiful butterflies.
The Mourning Cloak is easy to spot with its deep brown wings edged in yellow and dotted with blue.
Often seen early in spring after winter hibernation, it symbolizes renewal and warmer days ahead.
If you find their eggs or caterpillars, let them be — they support biodiversity and remind us of the quiet wonders thriving in our own backyards.
