Gardening is a joy, but pests can make it challenging. Recently, I saw a photo of a leaf covered in strange black geometric

patterns—at first, I feared disease. But a closer look revealed something beautiful: eggs of the Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa).

These tiny, lace-like egg clusters are nature’s art. At first, I worried they might harm my plants. But good news—Mourning Cloak butterflies are beneficial.

Their caterpillars prefer trees like willows, elms, and poplars—not garden veggies. And as adults, they feed on rotting fruit, aiding natural decomposition.

So, next time you spot these mysterious patterns, remember: not all bugs are bad—some are quiet allies in your garden’s ecosystem.