Finding Eggs in the Field > Eggs laid in clusters
Females of some butterfly species groups lay their eggs in clusters or strings where the hatched caterpillars feed gregariously until later instars. In North America, these groups include the subfamily Melitaeinae, the genera Nymphalis and Asterocampa and one pierid, Neophasia menapia.
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Asterocampa celtis celtis Egg Clutch
Hackberry butterfly eggs on hackberry (Celtis reticulata)
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Phyciodes mylitta Egg Clutch
Mylitta crescent eggs on host bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare). Photo courtesy Nicky Davis.
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Euphydryas anicia wheeleri Egg Clutch
Anicia checkerspot eggs on host firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii).
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Neophasia menapia Egg Clutch
Pine white egg clutch on host pinyon pine (Pinus edulis).