It’s always fun to find where the caterpillars end up in the garden, as more times than not they are far from their host plant.
This gulf fritillary decided to make its chrysalis on my lantana plant yesterday. When I checked on it this afternoon it had created its chrysalis.
There are so many more caterpillars in different instars throughout the garden.
There are many different varieties of lantana, running the gamut of colors. Unfortunately there are non-native and native varieties.
According to the University of Florida the native lantana are sterile-in other words cannot produce viable seeds and pollen. The one pictured below is called a lantana depressa.
The lantana loves full sun and prefers well-drained soils. They tolerate both heat and salt.
The butterflies love the nectar.
