Painted Ladies feed on a huge variety of host plants, and it doesn't surprise me that you found them on Comfrey. They usually prefer members of the Aster Family (esp Thistles) and Mallow Family (Malvus, Hollyhocks) as well as a few Legumes. Note: If you don't like the idea of growing ugly Thistles in your garden, try Globe Thistle. With its handsome silver foliage and attractive purple flowers, it makes a good companion to Hollyhocks Arabian Nights (black flowers) and is also a raging nectar source to a great many pollinators as well. Also drought tolerant.

They are eating a Willow,i've counted five so far! A friend has suggested it maybe a puss moth caterpillar?! I know very little of this subject so i'll try to get a better photo of their markings to help

Siam, I've been looking for it on the internet and can't find it. The shape of the body, with the tapered end, makes me think it's some type of Heterocampa moth, but, the spikes and the coloration make me think it might be some type of Heliconian or longwing butterfly caterpillar. Any chance the weed might be a passionvine? I don't have any books about caterpillars, moths, or butterflies from the West Indies, so I'm going to see if I can find one to order. I have a book case full of nature books, but there's still room for a few more books! Sherry

After finding out what a wheel bug is after the fact, I am a lot more careful. I clipped the leaves and then used these little doll cloth pins to clip them to the new tree. ( took half of the caterpillars to make sure they like it) it worked very well. Thank you for mentioning this though. My daughter is always turning the leaves this way and that to take pictures.