Good bug, bad bug!

Found a small army of these guys munching on my tomatoes.. They are tomato hornworms, which turn into Five Dotted Hawk moths. Pretty as they were, the ones I found got turned into chicken snacks..

Slurp!

This guy wasn't nearly as pretty, and at first I was concerned his spikes would sting. Instead, he's the good bug- the caterpillar form of the Gulf Frittilary butterflies that inhabit my garden. His spikes are harmless, though he'd make the chickens sick if they ate him. The fritillary caterpillars eat the passionflower vines, which makes me glad I've encouraged some of the volunteers in the garden.

Grown up Gulf Frittilary enjoying the zinnias.