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Butterfly Garden

Big problem, out of aristolochia californica

todancewithwolves

14 years ago

Three pipevine caterpillars left and no more aristolochia californica. They are about 5 weeks old. Last two days they went after the vine with a vengeance. Now they are wondering around looking for more.

I've called every nursery around with no luck. Can't understand why most California nurseries don't carry more California natives?

What should I do?

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Comments (10)

napapen
14 years ago
Do you have stems as they will eat them. I ran out last year and the cats went into pupa and hatched well this year. 5 weeks is the usual cat time. I had a female emerge yesterday which surprised me.

Penny
murray_2008
14 years ago
Hi Penny, I had a female emerge today to my surprise also.

Edna, I don't know how far you are from Vallejo but if you have wheels and are really in a bind I have so much pipevine it is incredible. You are welcome to all you need. You could probably take a bunch and store it like Larry said to (ladobe). Anyway, I offer it just in case you are near enough to drop over and pick it up. I have no wheels at the moment so I can't be of any help that way. Otherwise, maybe Penny's idea would work.

I wish I had an answer for why the native plants like pipevine is not sold at local CA nurseries. But that reminds me of another idea. Perhaps your chapter of the Native Plant Society has some. I have spoken in the past to the Napa Chapter and they had some in their greenhouse. Let us know what works. Murray
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How terrible. I have never associated yellow jackets and A. californica seeds before. I have never been able to germinate this native pipe vine from seed so I would try removing them first. Most of these native vines flower before the leaves appear so it wouldn't be hard to cut them off. Unfortunately, mine flower all summer and are still in bloom. It seems to occur wherever the vines are in full sun which they do not prefer but my vines in some places have sent out their shoots into the sun anyway. It might be a possibility if your vines only flower in the early spring as most do. I hope you figure something out, Edna. It would be a big loss to me because the pipe vine swallowtails are one of the most frequent visitors I have in my garden. Murray
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todancewithwolves
Original Author
14 years ago
I hope they go after the stems, Penny. I'm really worried.

Murray, I had no idea there were Native Plant Society's around. I will check..I'm desperate. I may take you up on your offer. I will email you if I can't find anything.hey

I'm hoping the cats go into pupa. Geez, Monarchs are so much easier to raise.

Edna
tdogmom
14 years ago
Edna,

I know the feeling! I now have FIVE plants for my next batch...of course, the PVS I've had have all eclosed and all at different times so I haven't had any eggs. This one guy told me he saw a PVS just this past week (probably one of mine) fly by his house. Too bad you didn't live closer. I ordered two plants from Forest Farm.
todancewithwolves
Original Author
14 years ago
Murray, would you have a moment to email me?

Edna
todancewithwolves
Original Author
14 years ago
Murray, I was wondering if you'd like to take my 3 cats. I'll drive them to you.

Edna
butterflyhunter
14 years ago
There never seems to be enough Pipevine to go around. One year I was in the same situation as you. So I went out & purchased all the Pipevine I could get my hands on. Now, I haven't seen a PVS in almost 3 1/2 years & like Murray, have lots & lots & lots of Pipevine everywhere with no PVS's to consume them! Feast or Famine I tell ya.

ButterflyHunter
onafixedincome
14 years ago
Last year was the first I had enough pipevine to get the girls all excited laying, but the @%$%@# wasps got most if not all of the cats. This year I've had tons of cats, a zillion eggs, and haven't seen any chrysalides no matter how hard I look. Any ideas? It grows on a chainlink fence just upfence from a climbing rosebush....
murray_2008
14 years ago
Hi Edna, I just sent you an email. Don't panic although I have often awakened to find angry and hungry PVS cats and know the feeling. Any way that I can help it would be fine for me. Just let me know. Murray
murray_2008
14 years ago
I know the wasps have been fierce this year and even though I saw a fair number of adult PVSs this spring looking over the pipe vine I never found any eggs or cats. But a month or so ago I walked out my front door and saw two or three yellow jackets on top of one little cat and they were stinging it over and over again and literally tearing it apart before my eyes. It made me sick and angry and after almost killing them with my hands on the spot I got some cloth and covered the vines as much as possible until the cats were ready to pupate. I don't think the wasp predation is so bad after the cats reach a size too large to be carried off to a nest but until then they are horrible on cats. Murray

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