by Donna Lewis
On May 2, I went out to the pollinator garden to work, and all I saw was black Pipe-vine caterpillars on the march to find more pipe-vine plants. They ate all the ones I have in my garden right down to the ground and are even eating the stems right now. It’s a feast going on….
I almost stepped on a bunch of them.
I got my camera, took a few shots and then carefully walked out of the garden.
They will go out to the pasture and find their native vine until they are big enough to make a chrysalis and then become a beautiful black swallowtail butterfly.
In several weeks, my plants will completely grow back and the process begins again. Last year I had four complete cycles.
The caterpillars can be black or dark red.
That is amazing.
PS: Out near where Donna lives, Suna saw at least a dozen of the adults enjoying Indian blanket flowers. Sadly, she was unable to stop the vehicle fast enough for a photo, but it was a beautiful sight.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 