My poor Passionvine looks like a skeleton. Originally I thought it had something to do with the drought, and that probably was the actual start of it, but now it seems to have more to do with this guy… and all its brothers, sisters, and cousins. Dozens at a time, all different sizes and instars — munching and munching and munching.
It’s all good — after all, I planted the Passionvine FOR the caterpillars. However…
My poor plant, formerly known as “quite large,” has very few leaves left on it! Now I have to worry about the little caterpillars running out of food. My babies!
But I’m having fun. The stone of my house is covered in chrysalises. So are the trellis around the A/C unit and the Mexican Redbud growing nearby.
This caterpillar ventured several feet along the stone of the house, looking for prime chrysalis real estate.
Soon it will make a “j” shape, and soon after that it will begin to transform.
What I find utterly fascinating is that some Gulf Fritillary chrysalises are positioned at very odd angles.
These two are showing off an apparently poorly mortared portion of my house. What creatures lie within that dark crevice, I wonder?
I guess if the previous tenant liked this spot, it was good enough for the next caterpillar. Either that or it’s becoming a suburb.
I didn’t get any pictures of actual butterflies today, but just to complete the picture, here’s one of my favorites from last year:
I guess I’ll be knocking on the door of gardeners with ample Passionvine soon. Caterpillar rescue time approaches.
Will these overwinter and emerge in the spring, or does it stay warm enough for there to hatch now? Beautiful caterpillar!
These are my favorite butterflies. I love how they complete their whole transformation in one spot. They are so captivating to watch.
Cool. Winter here now, but I will remember this for next year. I have a place or two where the vine can be planted.
I planted passion vine this year too and it wasn’t long before the butterflies found it. I also worried that the caterpillars wouldn’t have enough to eat but somehow they managed to. Great shots of the life cycle!
Excellent photographic documentation of the life-cycle process of the Gulf Fritillary–so glad you have some. I’ve had so few caterpillars/butterflies this year. I’ve recently planted some fennel and I have a little passion-vine–no eggs, no caterpillars, few butterflies.
Love following the caterpillars to butterflies…one I don’t see here…
Very cool post documenting the stages of life of a butterfly. I particularly like the caterpillar “suburb” photo. It is hard, even when deliberately gardening for wildlife, when the wildlife decimates plants. But the Gulf fritillary is beautiful – good for you!
It would be cool to have time-lapse photography of your wall of chrysalises seeing them emerge one by one. Your wall would come to life with butterflies. How fun to have all of these visitors!
Interesting perspective on the damage yet the fascination of the caterpillars. I admit the caterpillars kind of gross me out–especially when there are a lot of them in one place. But the butterflies are beautiful! I hope your plant is OK.
It’s still warm enough here, Alan — the life cycle continues!
It’s definitely rewarding to provide a habitat for the Gulf Frits, Steph — for sure!
Give it room to grow, Patricia! It needs space — at least the purple varieties do.
Karin, hopefully the plant will last long enough for the caterpillars to get enough. If not, I’ve got a friend who can help me out.
Tina, I hear you. It was a terrible year for the butterflies. I think that’s why the Gulf Fritillaries are going crazy right now on my vine — they actually have a place they can lay eggs!
I’ll always love the metamorphosis process, Donna. Utterly fascinating, and every species a little different.
Sheila, I just remind myself of the good I’m doing — the wildlife need our help.
Toni, fantastic idea. If only I had the means to do that! I’m enjoying the “Easter Egg” hunt feeling of looking for chrysalises on the wall, at least.
I don’t dwell on damage, PlantPostings — it’s always temporary and just means that I’m providing a good habitat. Caterpillars are such an important part of the ecosystem, and some of them are absolutely gorgeous! Others are a little weird, but they are all fascinating in some way.