As we were walking in the park, I saw this caterpillar on the ground.  I probably wouldn't have seen it at all, except it was resting on this yellow tulip poplar leaf.  It really grabbed my attention.  I've seen this kind of caterpillar before in my garden.  It is a Gulf Fritillary.  This leaf is NOT one of its host plants;  it is just hanging out here so I would notice it.

 

I have seen many of these caterpillars in my garden because their host plant is...Passionflower!!!   The leaves of the passionflower feed the baby Fritillary caterpillars.  And this is so cool:  if there isn't enough food to get the caterpillars big enough to cocoon, they will overwinter as larvae and continue feeding in the spring when the passiflora regrows.  Another good reason to let the passionflower grow:  they support Fritillary butterflies.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!