I Think I May Have A Bug Problem

I don't know what they are but I"d be interested to know what you find out.

Those weird looking caterpillars will turn into BEAUTIFUL butterflies. Your caterpillars will ONLY eat passion vine and they eat a lot of it BUT as your vine ages...it will produce so many leaves...so quickly that the holes will be less noticable. Your butterflies will be unique from any others in the neighborhood because as caterpillars they ONLY eat passion vine. :o)

When I first planted my passion vine 5 years ago... I thought I had a bug problem also. BUT after doing some research I learned the above info.

Also, the caterpillars....although they look wicked....like they would sting or bite... they don't. My kids and I hold them all the time. We also cage a few at a time...we keep them outside..... and watch them turn to chrysalis and then to butterflies. If you decide to do this... be sure and keep some vine in with them so they have something to eat.

If you ever have any questions about your vine, send me a private message. I'd love to help you with your lovely. Passion Vine has become a passion of mine. :o)

Here are some links to pics of my vine, and of the caterpillars and butterflies that love it:
http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224744198555&memberId=69999

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?memberId=69999&fileId=3096224744198515

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?memberId=69999&fileId=3096224744198482

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224744169423&memberId=69999

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224743933358&memberId=69999

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224743928884&memberId=69999

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224743927459&memberId=69999

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224743884423&memberId=69999

I hope you enjoy the pics and don't feel flooded by them. As I said... I've become very passionate about my Passion Vine. :o)

I keep saying I need to write an article about my vine. I have enough pictures to do a pretty good photo essay. Don't ya think? LOL

Holly~I just featured this article in our group: *My Yard & Garden*
www.myyardandgarden.gather.com

Thanks Kyra! Are you sure they aren't going to eat the whole thing up? Because I've had some before, and they just destroyed them, and they multiplied so fast, that the plant just died. They were everywhere! I guess I will just leave things as they are then, and hope for the best...hopefully some beautiful butterflies, and a beautiful passion vine. By the way, your pics are awesome!!

Holly, try contacting your local agriculture department. They would be able to identify the pest, and also tell you an effective safe method to treat. Organic you might try soap, hot pepper and./or garlic solution.

The butterflies sound nice, but you should protect your plant and give it a chance to get big enough to support the caterpillars without getting destroyed. Go to WalMart and get some insecticide dust and use it as directed. After the plant gets bigger, you can let the bugs have a snack! I wish I could share some of my passion vines with you. I dug up a couple from the woods in SC and they have multiplied and grow all over my fence and come back bigger and better every year. I make a delicious juice of the fruits. I haven't had a caterpillar problem so far.

Passiflora (passion vine) is the host plant for the Gulf Fritillary, Zebra, and Julia butterflies. The Gulf Fritillary and Julia caterpillars are orange with black spines that stick out while the Zebra is white with black spines. It is so cool to see the live cycle of these beautiful harmless creatures. And it is fun to see them flying around, drinking from and pollinating your nectar plants. The leaves on the passiflora vines grow back. In fact passifloras that are not native to your area tend to be quite invasive if you let them grow unchecked. They'll pop up where unexpected. So let the little guys eat and help out Mother Nature! The butterflies will cause you lots of smiles in return :-)