butterfly or moth cucoons??

[ironmonkey78]

my little brother caught some caterpillars since he knew I liked bugs and he wanted to show me. he had them in a little cage for about 2 days and they all made cucoons. does anyone know what they might turn out to be??

 

[bugmankeith]

A butterfly, mabye Painted Lady?

 

[Dorcus]

Just fyi, it is moths that make cocoons. Butterflies make a chrysalis. And I don't think that's a Vanessa cardui (painted lady)... IMO, the spines are too sharp; and red... But I can't help ID it, butterflies are not my area of expertise. But if I had to guess, I'd guess Nymphalis antiopa (Mourning Cloak).

 

[bugmankeith]

I thought she said her brother Brought caterpillars, not Caught them. Could be a Mourning Cloak then if it was wild caught.