The Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), perhaps the world's best-known butterfly, on white butterfly bush.

The same Monarch displaying its underside.

Another picture of the Viceroy (Basilarchia archippus) showing how closely it resembles the Monarch. The Viceroy is alot smaller in size though than the Monarch.

Who wouldn't want an infestation of these larvae on their oak trees? These Polyphemus Moth larvae (Antheraea polyphemus) are just days from spinning their winter cocoon, a very thick, silk lined cocoon.

The cocoon of the Polyphemus Moth is very strong and thick, providing plenty of insulation during the cold winter months. It is attached by weak silk to the tree branch and when the leaves fall off of the tree in the Fall the cocoon will fall with them and be hidden in the dead leaves at the base of the tree. Since the cocoon is wrapped in a leaf it provides excellent camouflage. On the next page you will see a picture of the adult moth.

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