I took these pics a couple of days ago at the UC Botanical Garden. A few days ago there were many Ladies on this Lavatera. But many were gone by the time I took the pictures. Maybe birds or spiders ate them. Or maybe they wandered and pupated. But they seem to think that this plant is really yummy. I don't know if they are West Coast Ladies or Painted Ladies. But there they are, caterpillars in December in Berkeley. This plant is a seedling of a garden accession, and the horticulturalist was going to remove it, but he decided to wait until the larvae are done feeding. Isn't he sweet?
