Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly Caterpillars or Chrysalises
Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly Limenitis arthemis
Adult Wing Span: 3 - 3 1/2 inches
Range: Central and Eastern North America
Host Plants: Deerberry, Black Cherry, Willow, Aspen, Poplar, Cottonwood, Apple, Pear, Birch, Basswood, Hawthorn, Hornbeam, Shadbush (here at Shady Oak we have only used Deerberry, Black Cherry, and Willow)
Witness the miracle of metamorphosis! Caterpillars will need a food source during the larval stage. You may purchase your host plant from Shady Oak Butterfly Farm or from a local plant nursery. Be certain the plant has not been sprayed with insecticides, including the organic pesticide, BT. Caterpillars usually take from one to three weeks to reach pupation size.
** Butterflies can eat a great deal during the larval stage. Please be certain you have the correct amount of host plants if you are ordering larvae.**