On a patch of Larkspur, caterpillars were steadily eating the leaves. Small black pellets of frass dotted the leaves below. They were becoming plump and green. Pregnant from the energy of the sun captured by the leaves, they were ready to perform some of their own mysterious alchemy. They were going underneath the leaves. Where the leaf petiole met the base of the leaf blade, they were eating the underside of the leaf. This was causing the leaf blade to began to wilt as it nutrient supply was being cut off. As a result, the leaf died, turned a mottled brown, and draped like a cloth over them. Hidden inside they started spinning their silk cocoons. I don’t know what beautiful creature will emerge on some starry night, maybe it will visit me in my dreams.
