 Look Closely Before You Squash: These Strange Marks Might Be a Butterfly’s Gift 
Gardening is a true delight—until strange spots or patterns on your plants make you think something’s gone terribly wrong. I recently came across a photo of a leaf covered in tiny black geometric shapes. My first thought? Disease. But a closer look told a completely different story.
Those mysterious marks weren’t signs of trouble at all—they were the delicate, lace-like egg clusters of the Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa), one of nature’s unsung heroes.
At first, I worried they might damage my plants. But here’s the good news: these butterflies are actually beneficial. Their caterpillars feed on trees like willows, elms, and poplars—not your tomatoes or lettuce. And when they become adults, they help break down overripe fruit, quietly supporting the garden’s natural balance.
 So next time you spot something unusual on a leaf, don’t rush to wipe it away. You might just be looking at the early stages of a beautiful butterfly—and a helpful garden guest.
