A gulf fritillary butterfly found new growth of one of its host plants, maypop passionvine, to rest.
Just hanging out
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Tag Archives: Maypop passion vine
Unique
The maypop passionvine flower is among one of the most unique flowers in my garden, and the most invasive.
This plant has taken over the garden, inside and outside, of the space. To say I have an abundance is an understatement. The gulf fritillary butterfly has a ton of host plant to lay eggs on, and the caterpillars food to eat.
Time for laying eggs
There have been many breaks in the outer bands of rains from Hurricane Idalia inviting the butterflies back into the garden. It makes me wonder where they find cover during the rain, as it must be somewhere close because there are quite a few taking advantage of the no rain, overcast skies right now.
This gulf fritillary took the opportunity to lay some eggs on our maypop passionvine. If you look closely, there are already eggs on the leaf. This beautiful lush plant will disappear rather quickly with the action this particular plant has received recently.
The maypop
Some of the butterfly host plant flowers are absolutely remarkable. The maypop passionvine, I think, is one of my top favorites. The flower looks 3D. It’s incredible to watch it slowly open, a sight my daughter and I have experienced only once. Petal, by petal it slowly falls open.
As I have shared in the past, it definitely is invasive, as it sends out shoots everywhere, quite far from the original plant. So needless to say, both of my gardens are a bit of a jungle with lots of the pathways no longer available because of this great host plant. I love the natural look, so it may end up becoming moving the stepping stones to new areas of the garden.
They are back
The gulf fritillary caterpillars are multiplying quickly in the garden again.
Every time I bring in more food for them in the butterfly enclosure, there’s more little caterpillsrs on the maypop passionvine.
The caterpillars are slowly reaching their desired length and making it to the top of the enclosure. This morning, one was finally in its chrysalis form.
It’s been quite a few months since we have taken these caterpillars in to watch their life cycle.