Finding Caterpillars > Nymphalid Nests
Brushfoot butterflies such painted ladies (Vanessa cardui), red admirals (Vanessa atalanta rubria), west coast ladies (Vanessa carye annabella), American ladies (Vanessa virginiensis), milberts tortoiseshells (Nymphalis milberti), California tortoiseshells (Nymphalis californica), mourning cloaks (Nymphalis antiopa), and satyr commas (Polygonia satyrus) create nests or leaf shelters on their host plants.
Click here to watch a video on how to distinguish Polygonia satyrus neomarsyas larval nests vs. those made by Nymphalis milberti furcillata and Vanessa atalanta rubria.
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Milbert's Tortoiseshell Nest
Red Admirals also roll up the leaf in this fashion. Photo courtesy Nicky Davis.
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Satry Comma Nest
Photo courtesy Nicky Davis.
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Stinging Nettle Dorsal Surface of Satyr Comma Nest
Photo courtesy Nicky Davis.
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