Limenitis weidemeyeri latifascia Hibernaculum Under Construction

This is a photo of a third instar weidemeyer's admiral (Limenitis weidemeyeri latifascia) beginning the construction of a rolled leaf hibernaculum.  Note that the caterpillar will silk the entire surface of the hibernaculum.  That portion of the leaf that doesn't have silk will be chewed off by the larva before the silks the hibernaculum together.  Part I of IV.

Limenitis weidemeyeri latifascia Hibernaculum Under Construction

Part II of IV.

Limenitis weidemeyeri latifascia Hibernaculum Under Construction

Part III of IV.

Limenitis weidemeyeri latifascia Hibernaculum Complete

Part IV of IV.  The hibernaculum is now completed.  Note in this and other photos that the hibernaculum is silked to the stem of the tree; so that when other leaves fall during autumn, the hibernaculum will remain on the tree so that the caterpillar can crawl out and resume feeding the next spring.

Limenitis lorquini ilgae Hibernaculum

The F-Stop on my camera was maxxed at F-32 so as to show the depth of the larva parked inside of its hibernaculum.  This lorquin's admiral was located in September, 2008 along Silver Lake, Snohomish County, Washington.

Limenitis lorquini ilgae Hibernaculum

Same hibernaculum as previous photo.

Limenitis lorquini ilgae Hibernaculum

Same hibernaculum as before as it appeared along the Silver Lake shore, Snohomish County, Washington.

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Limenitis lorquini burrisoni Hibernaculum

This is what a hibernaculum looks like in very early spring.  Note it is still attached to the willow tree adjacent to the bud of a new willow.  This photo was taken during the month of April at Bogus Basin Highway, Boise County, Idaho.  The larva was just starting to back out of its hibernaculum to search for new growth of willows.

Limenitis lorquini burrisoni Hibernaculum Under Construction

Lorquin's Admiral third instar caterpillar constructs a hibernaclum on aspen.

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