Upon emergence, first-instar caterpillars (or larvae) eat their eggshells.
The caterpillars from a clutch initially stay together, feeding in a small, unobtrusive web.
Second or third instar caterpillars disperse into smaller groups.
Then the third instars tend to feed and rest solitarily; they rest beneath dead leaves at night and during bad weather.
The caterpillar hibernates for the winter in a hibernaculum, made from a curled dead leaf by spinning its edges together.
Hibernacula are usually close to the ground.
Although most caterpillars hibernate singly, they sometimes group in twos and threes, although 15 to 20 caterpillars have been found in single hibernaculum.

Caterpillars re-emerge in early spring.
When it is warm, they feed a little, but most of the time is spent basking in the sun.
There are six instars in total.
The full-grown sixth instar caterpillar is 22–25 mm long, and predominantly black; it has pale (yellow-orange) spines and (greyish-white) spots.
Upon emergence, first-instar caterpillars (or larvae) eat their eggshells. The caterpillars from a clutch initially stay together, feeding in a small, unobtrusive web. Second or third instar caterpillars disperse into smaller groups. Then the third instars tend to feed and rest solitarily; they rest beneath dead leaves at night and during bad weather. The caterpillar hibernates for the winter in a hibernaculum, made from a curled dead leaf by spinning its edges together. Hibernacula are usually close to the ground. Although most caterpillars hibernate singly, they sometimes group in twos and threes, although 15 to 20 caterpillars have been found in single hibernaculum.
Caterpillars re-emerge in early spring. When it is warm, they feed a little, but most of the time is spent basking in the sun. There are six instars in total. The full-grown sixth instar caterpillar is 22–25 mm long, and predominantly black; it has pale (yellow-orange) spines and (greyish-white) spots.
Heath fritillary