Insects Attracted to the Passionflower Vine

Note: There will likely be multiple updates to this journal post, as more insects are observed and identified.

Summer 2018, the passionvine habitat was a popular hangout for Orange Assassin Bugs (Pselliopus barberi). They came to suck the juices out of the Gulf Fritillary caterpillars. They may yet, return this year. Double check the ID, document with photos (Source to use https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/82026-Pselliopus-barberi)

I think I may have seen milkweed bugs last year also. Need to look for this year

This spring/early summer, the Two-Lined Spittlebugs (Prosapia bicincta) are making it their home. Every time I walk out to train the vines on the trellis, I feel one land on my ankle and crawl up my leg. This is a new bug to me, and I have yet to discover what attracts it to the vines. It is apparently a Leafhopper (which explains why they jump on me) and as a juvenile it lives in spit-like foam (spittle) where it feeds on juices from the plant (Source: https://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/07/14/two-lined-spittlebug-2/).

Update 5/31/19
A new Leaf-Footed Bug has come to the Passionvine habitat! Acanthocephala terminalis (one of the Leaf-Footed Bug family) has a dark gray body with red feet and red tips to the antennae.

What a coincidence that I found an observation of this bug just a few days ago in Tatum, TX. I decided to favorite the observation in case it showed up here, and here it is!

Update 7/30/19
The first few Gulf Fritillary caterpillars have finally showed up! In fact, one made it to adulthood before I even found it. I have had a lot fewer insect visitors to my vine than I had hoped for. Definitely fewer than last year. Many of the flowers are now getting pollinated and turning into fruit. The plants and insects are not thirsty, that's for sure. It's been an usually wet summer. I managed to catch photos of a Carpenter Bee, Bee Assassin Bug, and my first Gulf Fritillary caterpillar found this year.

Update 10/12/22
I am behind in updating this list. Milkweed Assassin Bug possibly surrounding by offspring. Obsure Bird Grasshopper. Various wasps. Asian Lady Beetles. Green and Brown Stink Bugs. Every year the Gulf Fritillary, Eastern Leaf-footed Bugs, Eastern Carpenter Bees, stink bugs, and wasps return. The others do not reliably return every year. I have not observed any Zebra Longwings, though the passionvine is a host plant for them also.

Posted on 29 May, 2019 19:06 by redpenny redpenny

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Two-lined Spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta)

Observer

redpenny

Date

May 28, 2019 08:12 AM CDT

Description

These insects frequently jump on me while I am training the passionflower vines on a trellis that will become Gulf Fritilary butterfly habitat. I have found them in the Bahiagrass and at 5ft high on the trellis. The surrounding area is mowed.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

redpenny

Date

May 31, 2019 01:59 PM CDT

Description

What a coincidence! I recently saw an observation of this insect on iNat, now they are showing up in my Passionflower habitat.

Sitting on Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). Note: The white spot in the photo is just bird poop.

Photos / Sounds

What

Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis)

Observer

redpenny

Date

June 6, 2019 07:20 PM CDT

Description

On purple Passionflower vine

Photos / Sounds

What

Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae)

Observer

redpenny

Date

July 24, 2019 03:49 PM CDT

Description

Chrysalis on a captive Purple Passionflower vine. Sadly, the only one I've had so far this year.

Photos / Sounds

What

True Bugs (Suborder Heteroptera)

Observer

redpenny

Date

July 24, 2019 04:18 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae)

Observer

redpenny

Date

July 25, 2019 04:44 PM CDT

Description

On a captive Purple Passionflower vine.

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)

Observer

redpenny

Date

July 25, 2019 04:42 PM CDT

Description

Feeding on Purple Passionflower

Photos / Sounds

What

Obscure Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca obscura)

Observer

redpenny

Date

August 15, 2019 04:10 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

redpenny

Date

August 18, 2019 07:35 PM CDT

Description

On bamboo trellis for Purple Passionflower vine

Photos / Sounds

What

Milkweed Assassin Bug (Zelus longipes)

Observer

redpenny

Date

July 29, 2020 07:39 PM CDT

Description

I am unsure if this is a female with recently hatched nymphs. The little insects around her are not fire ants.

Sitting on Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Photos / Sounds

What

Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae)

Observer

redpenny

Date

October 4, 2022 11:52 AM CDT

Description

Freshly emerged from chrysalis on Purple Passionvine (Passiflora incarnata). Drying its wings.

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