Colouful caterpillar at Humber Trails...

Photo by Barry Wallace

A short and quick walk through a warm and silent Humber Trails Conservation Area, on the Mill Road near Nobleton, turned up dozens of Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) caterpillars, several days ago.   They have been feeding together in a silky nest until August, but now have  descended to the ground and split into small groups, as seen in the photo above.   They continue to feed while constructing webs from leaves and other debris for winter hibernation.  They will eventually fly from mid-June to early August in the wet meadows along the East Humber River in King.   I have not taken a photo of a Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly but there are many to be seen online and they are a striking eyeful.
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Barry Wallace