Larry, I've come to the tentative conclusion that they are larva of Malacosoma disstria, Forest Tent caterpillars. Unlike their counterpart, the Eastern Tent caterpillars or Malacosoma americanus (?), the larva spin loose webs on the tips of foliage, and string single strands from one branch tip to another so they can easily move between branch tips. This brings to my mind a kinda of caterpillar "high wire" act. Kinda cute, doncha think? They have a wide degree of color variation in the caterpillars, and mine have yet to develop the "blue" line which is strongly indicative of the larva. I almost hate to destroy them because they have done such a beautiful macrame network of their webbing, LOL! It's been kind of fascinating to watch them. You definitely pointed me in the right direction with what little info I gave you. I gave the camera I got to my daughter to take photos of the baby, so I ordered another one today and should have it in about a week. They may not be here by then, but if they are, I'll take a photo for a definite ID. Thank you so much for your help. It is greatly appreciated! Susan

I also purchased one in N. Cal at a Yardbirds Hardware. I have been a chile fanatic for 25+ years and in all my years of growing, eating and researching their origins I have never heard of a Puta tree chile. I bought it for one reason; it looks like an example of Capsicum pubescence. this species is one of my favorite chiles, most commonly called a Manzano, Caballo, Canarios or Rocoto. The three distinguishing traits are purple to bluish flowers, fuzzy to hairy leaves and stems (hence the name, C. pubescence) and black to brownish-black seeds. This "Puta Tree" is different from the three C. pubescences I already grow in that the leaves are somewhat smaller, are darker green and the plant appears to have a less open growth habitÂbut then I just got it so IÂll know more about it by the end of this growing season. They (C. pubescences) will over-winter as long as they do not freeze hard. I cover mine with frost cloth for the duration of the cold weather and the oldest one is now 4 years. They will die back and that seems to be ok as new growth in the spring will fill the plant out again. And, they can get quite large for a chile, mine are up to six feet across and about as tallÂand they are heavy producers too so I hope you like chiles! Here is a link that might be useful: The South American Chile

Yup, you're right. Thank you! Just had it ID'd at Bugguide.net. Kinda worried about getting bitten, though... just read that these are among the most likely to bite, and that gardeners are most at risk for this. In my small space, we are likely to encounter each other quite a bit. I know they won't cause me harm, but I am likely to freak out and hurt it if it does bite me, and I don't want that to happen. On the other hand, the benefits he will likely bring may outweigh this worry...

Ashmeri, she is a good performer here in Perth. Lovely camellia-like blooms of a coral pink and a low growth to about 1m. Not sure about how she will go in the humidity as she does get black spot here. You will find her one of the most popular roses and available from most nurseries. The name was a pet name given to the seedling when it was being tested. The name somehow stuck. Regards Deryn