I was in shock this morning. I had not realized my passion fruit vine was a banquet to cattepillars until I looked at it today.
Happy Gulf Fritillary catterpillars going crazy on my little vine.
7
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
6 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.OH NO! I hope that's not what I find when I get home.
BitFlipper
Level 8
Aug 26, 2019
1
It's ok, it will come back and you will have tons of butterflies 
I told you that when I gave it to you. As prolific a vine as it is, if not for the frits, you would be covered in it, they only eat the leaves. They just found it before it really got established. It will recover over the winter when the butterflies go into semi hibernation.
glennlab
Level 10
Aug 24, 2019
2
Oh yeah, I don't mind at all. Makes me happy 
I just did not realize how fast and drastic the consumption can be. Lol
@Zoohome August and September hatches are extremely agressive, they are anticipating cold snaps and bad weather and want to get to chrysalys as soon as possible. You'll find the chrysalys attached to anything that doesn't move, so check Thor out. Last year,most of my vines were stripped and i had at least 20K attached to my house. The will hatch out during the winter and some will hibernate as adults, they are very interesting. This is the reccovery photo from this spring
Amazing just how destructive these little worms can be. Nasturtium was the first flower I had success growing on my own from seed. A small green catapillar was attracted to these plants, and just like your passion fruit vine, they could eat all the leafy parts of the plant in no time.
RussRAB
Level 8
Aug 24, 2019
1
It's kind of scary if you consider their size. 
Yes, the Passion Flower has at least two benefits. One is the flower itself, the other is that it'll give you lots of brown winged butterflies flying all over your yard and garden. Happy, happy!
AstralSmoke
Level 8
Aug 24, 2019
3
Oh no! Your poor little vine! I sympathize. I draw them so often that I finally gave up on passion vine.
Lauren
Level 8
Aug 24, 2019
2
I use the frit caterpillars as a control on mine, it has still taken over 150 feet of fenceline shrubs and surrounded my house.
@Lauren you're welcome to some plants, I've got plenty to share. I'm in Dallas. The purple is not liked as much so tends to do better as a flowering plant, The blue is prefered for caterpillar food, but both act as good nectar plants. You will see some caterpillars on the purple, but no where near as many if some neighbor within a mile or two has the blue ones. My first plants went in in late Aug/early Sept, (12 years ago) so there is still time to plant this year.
Wonderful!!! This is what we always want to see. So glad you have one that the catterpillars love!!
Redheadedgammy
Level 9
Aug 24, 2019
3
The light blue they love, the purple they only like, but they will chose it. How are yours doing?
Recent Visitors 43
glennlab
TX, USA
Shouldbefishing
Two Miles North Of Nowhere,
BitFlipper
Rochester,
Zoohome
TX, USA
Carin
Colorado Springs, Colorado,
Photos 5,418 More
Posted by FrostyJim...I have enough room for a few good people.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by FernappleIts that season again, blue sky and golden leaves, nature is the greatest designer, a Ginkgo in my garden. Also posted in photography.
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimMoose family munchin' on my Raspberries right now at about 8:30 on Tuesday night!
Posted by FrostyJim3 giants total over 3 lbs! Bush Early Girl hybrid grown in my Wasilla Alaska zone 4b greenhouse...
Posted by FrostyJim.