It belongs to the creature known as the “Mourning Cloak”.
Mourning Cloak butterfly eggs. (Photo: Shannu/Pixels).
Gardening and caring for plants remain a beloved pastime for many. However, to create a healthy ecosystem, caregivers must possess a certain level of knowledge.
If one day you discover that the leaves of your plants are covered with small, complex geometric shapes that look quite frightening, it is best to DO NOT TOUCH THEM.
According to experts, this mysterious substance is the eggs of the Nymphalis Antiopa butterfly. Why do they advise against touching the eggs of the Nymphalis Antiopa butterfly? Let’s explore this issue.
In North America, this butterfly is called the Mourning Cloak due to its distinctly dark, velvety wings that appear as winter fades and spring approaches.
Close-up of the Mourning Cloak butterfly’s unusual colorful wings. (Photo: Adam Gor/HM).
This species originates from Eurasia and North America, thriving in the Northern Hemisphere. Nymphalis Antiopa is an intriguing insect with a unique lifecycle and some quite interesting habits.
The habitat of this butterfly is also quite diverse. They inhabit sunny clearings, forest edges, parks, gardens, open woodlands, and shrubby areas. During hibernation, Nymphalis Antiopa can be found under porch eaves, in basements, cracks, and wall cavities.
Perfect Geometric Wonders
Next, let’s talk about the eggs of this butterfly. The image we see is a close-up of Nymphalis Antiopa eggs on a leaf.
They resemble a delicate layer of black lace spread across the surface. After overcoming the initial fright, if you look closely, they are indeed very beautiful. The eggs are laid in clusters, and each tiny egg is a perfect geometric wonder. The light-colored eggs measure about 0.9 x 0.7 mm and turn black before hatching.
Mourning Cloak eggs. (Photo source: Susan Weidmann/HM).
So, are the eggs of Nymphalis Antiopa harmful to humans or your garden?
The good news is that the Nymphalis Antiopa butterfly is actually quite beneficial. The larvae, or caterpillars, eat leaves, but they tend to prefer shrubs such as willows, alders, and aspens. Therefore, if you have a garden full of flowers and vegetables, your garden will be safe. In fact, these butterflies can be quite helpful as they also consume rotting fruits and aid in decomposition.
Observing the lifecycle of these butterflies is truly fascinating. After hatching from those strange, complex eggs, the caterpillars emerge. They are black with small white spots and have a spiky, robust appearance. They go through multiple stages and grow larger with each molt. A mature caterpillar undergoes five stages of shedding.
Once fully grown, the caterpillar seeks a safe place to pupate. They spin a chrysalis, like a small sleeping bag where they undergo metamorphosis. This stage can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the climate and time of year. Eventually, they emerge as beautiful Nymphalis Antiopa butterflies with dark velvety wings edged in bright yellow and adorned with blue/purple spots.
One of the most interesting aspects of the Mourning Cloak butterfly is their behavior. Unlike many other butterfly species, the Nymphalis Antiopa hibernates during winter. They seek a cozy spot under cracked tree bark, in wood piles, or even in an old shed to hibernate.
Unlike other butterflies, the Mourning Cloak butterfly hibernates. (Photo: Pexels).
When spring arrives, they are among the first butterflies to be seen, often before the flowers begin to bloom. This early appearance is part of the reason they are called Mourning Cloak – their dark, somber wings set against the harsh early spring landscape resemble a mourning cloth.
As gardeners, we often focus on the immediate impact of insects on our crops. We see caterpillars and think, “They will eat everything!”, but it’s important to step back and look at the bigger picture.
The Nymphalis Antiopa butterfly is a perfect example of how nature self-balances. Yes, the caterpillars will eat some leaves, but they will not devastate your garden. In fact, by providing habitat for these butterflies, you are contributing to a healthier ecosystem.
So, what should we do if we find these eggs or caterpillars in our garden? The advice is to leave them be, do not disturb them or negatively impact them. Enjoy the process and observe the transformation of the Nymphalis Antiopa butterfly.
