Over the past few weeks, Blue Atala caterpillars have been out in force. A single coontie plant in the park by my house could have 15 – 20 caterpillars. A week ago, the caterpillars all formed their chrysalids, so the coontie plants look like Christmas trees, evergreen shrubs with little red ornaments.
![Atala chrysalids hanging from a coontie plant.](https://natelemoine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/11082014_AtalaChrysalids-1024x682.jpg)
I can’t wait for the next week or so, when the park will be swarming with Atala butterflies.