Finding Caterpillars > Gregarious Caterpillar Nests
Early instar caterpillars of some species groups of butterflies are gregarious; which means large groups of caterpillars feed in unison on their host plant.
In North America, these groups include pine whites and brushfooted butterflies of the genera Asterocampa, Nymphalis, Chlosyne, Euphydryas, Thessalia, Poladryas, and Phyciodes.
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Euphydryas chalcedona klotsi Nest
Pre-diapause larvae of checkerspots conforming to the genera Euphydryas and Chlosyne are gregarious and make conspicuous webbed nests as seen in this photo. The larvae tend to drop if disturbed. Care should be taken if larvae are to be collected.
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Chlosyne damoetus damoetus Third Instar Caterpillar
Rockslide checkerspot third instar caterpillar feeding on lab host Aster engelmanni.
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Euphydryas anicia wheeleri Second Instar Caterpillars
Anicia checkerspot second instar larvae feeding gregariously on Penstemon eatonii.
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Euphydryas anicia nr. maria Third Instar Larvae
Anicia checkerspot third instar larvae feeding gregariously on Penstemon cyananthe.
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Neophasia menapia Gregarious Caterpillars
Eventhough pine white caterpillars do not creat a webbed nest per se, they do feed gregariously as seen here feeding on Pinus edulis.
