What's eating my passiflora incarnata?

Passiflora incarnata (Maypop) is the larval host plant for Gulf fritillary, zebra longwing, and variegated fritillary butterflies — caterpillars can completely defoliate plants quickly. Japanese beetles skeletonise foliage in summer. Aphids cluster on new growth. Because it regrows vigorously from the roots, most pest damage, including caterpillar feeding, is tolerated.

Larvae (orange with black spines) rapidly strip leaves down to bare stems; whole plant may be defoliated Hand-pick caterpillars if infestation is severe; tolerate when possible as they are native butterfly larvae; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) only if defoliation threatens plant survival

Skeletonised leaves with only veins remaining; damage occurs in midsummer Hand-pick beetles into soapy water in the morning; do not use pheromone traps near the plant

Dense colonies on new shoot tips; honeydew, sooty mold, and curled leaves Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; attract lacewings and ladybugs as natural predators