You are describing the caterpillar of the Gulf Fritillary butterfly. Those black spines do not sting. However, you will need to decide which you like better, the butterflies or your passionvine! I guess I don't need to tell you what they can eventually do to your passionvine, lol!

If the damage gets to be more than you want to put up with , perhaps you can remove 'some' of the caterpillars....toss them where the birds can find them. Natural predators and parasites can do quite a number on caterpillars, so many things will balance out.

Many people grow passionvine expressly FOR those hungry caterpillars, which eventually turn into a very pretty butterfly. Since I see that you posted this in the Butterfly Forum, as well, you'll probably get some 'rescuing' advice from those folks. Many are very knowledgeable in raising them.

The decision is, of course, yours to make!

Thanks!I'm going to leave them this year.I'm sure the vines will come back out next year.They left the stems for me.Debbie

Yep, there's not much that can kill a healthy passionvine, lol!

I have no qualms about snuffing caterpillars. I use Thuricide and it eliminates any caterpillars I've ever had. Its also supposed to be organic approved.

Having my Passion vines or watching butterflies? Vines win every time! And, I still get the pleasure of watching the millions of butterflies we have here in SE Louisiana.

A passion flower is a stunningly beautiful flower. Every bit as beautiful as any butterfly. The flower stays put for a very long time for me to enjoy it's beauty and possibly an incredibly delicious fruit.

That caterpillar turns into a butterfly and off it goes, leaving me with sticks to look at! C'mon get real! If you like butterflies that much, good, I'm nailin 'em.