Catapillars eating Dutchman's Pipe
+8
tonight I pulled no less than 50 catapillars off the Dutchman's Pipe. This vine has been here for nearly 40 years. I've never seen these catapillars before. they are black with tiny orange spots on the back and they are rather plump. the droppings were quite a mess as well. I am afraid they will destroy the vine. what should I treat with? I have house plants on the porch and they are not bothered...so far.
6 answers
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seems I should have googled first, I've destroyed many beautiful butterflies! From what I've read, Dutchman's Pipe is typically a host plant for this species of butterflies. live and learn
Debbie Machmer
on Aug 28, 2013
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@Debbie Machmer Do they look like this? If so they are a swallowtail butterfly. A picture of them would really help! xox
Sia@South 47th
on Aug 28, 2013
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@Sia: yes, very much, spots are orange. I googled and found it. seems I did a bad thing :(
Debbie Machmer
on Aug 28, 2013
- See 2 previous
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Ah, Debbie, you learned an important lesson about larval plants for butterflies. They get eaten! I am trying to find a spot for Dutchman's pipe because it is a host plant for the beautiful pipevine swallowtail. A fellow Florida gardener's Dutchman's pipe has been eaten to almost nothing three times this year, but it keeps coming back, and so do the butterflies.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 29, 2013
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I have a Dutchman's Pipe but have not been able to get it to bloom? And the blooms are so cool! Does anyone have any tips on that?
Sensible Gardening and Living
on Aug 29, 2013
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Mine has bloomed 2 out of 4 years that I have been here. no answer for you, sorry
Debbie Machmer
on Aug 29, 2013
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