Food Plants for Agraulis vanillae

[John MacGregor]

I need to assemble as inclusive a list as possible of food plants for the 
larvae of the Gulf Fritillary, our only tropical longwing butterfly in
southern California.  Its presence here is due principally to a relentless
invasion of Passiflora  caerulea, an ineradicable weed.  This sets
innumerable, inedible fruits.  Its seeds are spread by birds. and it suckers
profusely.  I have plants of P.  'Incense' (Passiflora  incarnata  X P.
cincinnata), which the caterpillars love to the point that it seldom flowers
and is completely demolished in winter when its growth rate is slowed by
cool temperatures.  I also have P. X alato-caerulea, which caterpillars will
not eat but is a well-behaved garden plant.  Its fragrant flowers provide
good nectar.  Can anyone suggest other species of Passiflora that will
support Agraulis when planted outdoors in the ground or grown in pots that
can be moved inside in winter?  Are there other species that would be hardy
in this area (to about 27 degrees F.) that Gulf Fritillary caterpillars will
not eat but would make attractive ornamentals?

John C. MacGregor IV, President
NABA, San Gabriel Valley Chapter
815 Park Avenue #4
South Pasadena, CA 91030-2788
jonivy at earthlink.net
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