I just checked yesterday and had NO holes in my Violet leaves, and today I have holes! Lots of them! I have looked high and low and all I found were some leaves that were rolled up a little with some cobwebby-things inside. They are too small to see for these 40+ year old eyes. I can send a pic as soon as I get them of the camera and onto my computer.
I thought I was looking for caterpillars if I have holes? If I have caterpillars, they are invisible. Does the rolled up leaf sound like a Longwing butterfly (Frit family)?
Suzy
Frittilary family - What am I looking for?
Sounds like a leaf roller of some sort which is a moth. I'm sure someone will know for certain.
Haha....Suzy, I know what you mean about the 40+ eyes, except mine are 50+! I had to get a magnifying glass.....for bug and cat checking.
I don't think the Zebs roll up in the leaves, not sure what it could be, Knolan's probably right, some sort of moth.
Or it could be a spider. I believe some species roll leaves when they are making a nest.
Suzy,
Frit's like to lay their yellow eggs on the leaves or curly tendrils of the Passionflower vine.
~Adrienne
Suzy,
Here's a photo of a couple of Variegated Frit cats on the native green violet that they use out here. They don't form nests...so am not sure what's eating your violets.
Gulf Fritillaries use passion vine....Variegated Frits use violets...Mexican Frits use damiana.
~ Cat
ps...Ha! Ha! Fly...you sound like me. I have several of those industrial sized magnifying glasses. One in each camera case, one in my butterfly book bag, one in the vehicle and one at work too! I also use my close focusing binoculars to look at stuff!! Either that or the macro lenses on the camera.
This message was edited May 16, 2007 9:45 PM
and...a Variegated Frits eggs are more whitish than yellow. Here's a lousy photo from last year...but you can still get an idea of what to look for. The eggs are a little smaller than a Monarch egg.
I also received some violets from Cathy in PA...am hoping those plants will attract Variegated Fritillaries to my yard and I'll be able to get some decent photos with my new camera this year.
~ Cat
This message was edited May 16, 2007 9:42 PM
