This big boy here seems to enjoy the passion buds.
Fat Cat
That looks like the caterpillar of the Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae), which does choose to feed on Passion Vines.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/6222/bgimage
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/usa/45.htm
kennedyh, Yes Sir that's what he is. I've been raising scads of them for two years now. I've got @ 20 to 30 cats just about ready to go through their metamorphosis. Found one of the cats 50 feet away from the passion vine on my patio cover post attached and ready to go. I just can't think how long it took him to crawl that far. I've had only 3 Monarch cats this summer tho.
Kipper, do you have ants on your passionvine? I've had small vines for the last few years that have always had cats on them, thus I always have a lot of GF's. This year one of my cuttings took off and is a full blown vine, flowers and all. It's beautiful, and covered in ants. Everyone says the ants are fine and pollinate the flowers, which is probably why I don't think I've ever had ants before, since the vines were so small. Anyways, the ants are eating my GF eggs! I've not had any GF's in a few weeks and I think they know that my vine is not safe now. I don't know how to get rid of these stupid ants either. I've got them harvesting aphids on my milkweed too, along with fireants. ugh. If I knew how to get rid of them without harming my beneficials and earthworms I would try.
konkreteblond, I'm having similar trouble with Red Wasps. They're getting my Frit cats for their young. I've found if I'm in the area and see them searching for a likely candidate, I can sneek up and clap my hand with them in the middle. They fall down and I ground them into the ground. Also have been fighting the orange and black Assasin Bugs. THEY like to feed on the young cats and have emptied my milkweeds of monarch cats. Their easier to get since they think " If I can't see him....he can't see me". I schquisch those little bugs between my thumb and forefinger.
About the ants, I have found "Bengle" brand fire ant killer works great. The owner of Caldwells Nursury uses it and so do I.
Good luck
Wow - with the color and the spikes, you'd think nothing would want to fool with that one. How about a 3 footer rolling across your yard? Do I hear doors and locks slamming shut?
You better believe it, 8ftbed. I can just see the title.
"Attack of the Mutated Frit"
Now in a Theater near you!!!!!!!