We have a total of five Passionflower Vines growing in our yard at the moment. I say, "at the moment" because of course I'm planning on planting more. The Passionflower vines serve as a host plant for the beautiful Gulf Fritillary butterflies. The first year I planted the vines I was so disappointed that there were not any caterpillars on them. Whoa! This year they have completely made up for it. We are finding cocoons everywhere! Seriously.... I've found them on the deck, by the back window, the fence, the eaves of the house, the patio furniture, the back door, the kitchen window, the BBQ pit and the garage door. You get the picture. They are EVERYWHERE! You really have to watch were you step so you don't step on caterpillar searching for its perfect spot to transform into a cocoon.
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| One of the many cocoons I have found in the garden. |
Several years ago I purchased a Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum. I've never been great at growing houseplants so I was hopeful this plant would last a couple of months. I was shocked that it has lasted this long. This has definitely been the best $25 dollars I've spent on a houseplant. I'm always amazed when it sends up those beautiful white blooms. I also like the fact NASA named it as one of the top houseplants plants for cleaning indoor air.
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| Peace Lily |
I have been finding them everywhere as well. Very exciting!!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree.... It is exciting! I love to watch the butterflies dry their wings after they hatch out of the cocoon. They look so beautiful!
DeleteThe cocoon looks like a bear hanging upside down. Is it just me?!
ReplyDeleteCat, It does look like a little bear. I think they also look like Batman. The one in the picture looks like it has a frown on its face. Maybe it is afraid we will step on it;)
DeleteThat is amazing, I need to check my passionvines to see if they're still back there.
ReplyDeleteMy Peace Lilly is blooming too, I've had it for a very long time and put it outside in the summer.
Shirley, If you have passionvines, chances are you have caterpillars on them.
DeleteI've never thought of putting my Peace Lily outside. It seems to be doing ok inside.
Hi Steph...that cocoon looks like something out of an alien movie!! It looks like it's mouth is open and it has little teeth!!
ReplyDeleteChristy - Ha, Ha! It does look like an alien. Amazing something so strange looking could turn into something so beautiful! Hope you have a wonderful weekend:)
DeleteYou have the same "problem" with gulf fritillaries that I have with pipevine and black swallowtail caterpillars. They attach to some of the most unusual places for their transformation.
ReplyDeleteThey do pick some rather odd places for a cocoon. I only wish I had pipevine cats cocooning everywhere. I purchased some white veined pipevine and I've seen several Pipevine Swallotail butterflies around the yard, but no cats:( Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteExciting! I need to get better at spotting cocoons. Planted a pink passion vine late fall, and this spring it was covered in fritillary caterpillars...then they just disappeared. Saw the butterflies later, so I know they stayed around. Thank you for providing a visual to look out for.
ReplyDeleteAmy,
DeleteI would love to add the pink passion vine to my garden. That is one I still do not have;) Once you start looking for cocoons it is amazing how many you can spot. Thanks for stopping by.