Artocarpus heterophyllus

Found these guys munching on my jackfruit tree. They are larvae of a moth called Automeris io (Fabricius). Those pretty little spines on their backs are venomous! This moth is very identifiable because it appears to have a large pair of eyes on its bottom wings. I've decided not to squash these guys and I will give them a chance to go through their metamorphosis. I really feel iffy about it though! #caterpillars #venomous #jackfruit #secondchance #futuremoth #iwannasqishthem

Interesting, if nothing else.

Oh, so interesting. They are very pretty even in their venomous stage. Did you start your jackfruit from a seed and if so, how? Mine did nothing.

@lovestogarden I bought the tree about two and a half years ago. It is a beautiful specimen and it is probably 15 feet tall now. The bark is gorgeous and the shape of the tree is perfect. The fruit that started last year didn't stay because it was its first year to produce fruit. This year there are several fruits starting and I'm very excited. Hopefully they stay on for good!

@lovestogarden I should also mention when I first bought it it was only about three and a half feet tall. It has really grown in the time I've had it.

Your tree sounds beautiful. Are you vegetarian? I tried planting the jackfruit seeds (the ones that died) from a mock BBQ pulled pork dish I made my son. He really liked it.

@lovestogarden no, I am not a vegetarian but I do eat tons of fresh vegetables and fruits and meats. I am intolerant of gluten so that took me to a whole foods diet which I admit I truly love. I have seen this mock barbecued pulled pork dish made from jackfruit that you're talking about and I do want to try that. I had some jackfruit a few years ago and I really liked it. I'm trying to grow a variety of permanent food bearing plants and fruit trees for the tropics are already in the ground.

@lovestogarden Between Jackfruit and Moringa I think those two trees could feed a nation!

I saw those in Costa Rica, and didn't know the plant they were on. Maybe it was jackfruit!

Cool 😎

My Jackfruit tree that is about a year-and-a-half old. It is starting to bear fruit this year. It has grown incredibly!

#gyo (grow your own) #jackfruit

@drnicko

@skellyshelly where are you located? Lovely jackfruit tree, especially to give fruit from that young. Can I ask is it grafted or seed grown? 😃

@drnicko This tree has been grafted. I am in growing zone 10A and I live in Southwest Florida. Due to the lack of rain recently some of my young fruits are not surviving. This is the first year for the tree to bear fruit though so it is a good sign for the future!

@skellyshelly hope you get some nice fruits. I'm growing from seed at present but should be getting grafted tree soon...I'm so excited. I grow under lights in the UK, lots of tropical fruits!😃

@drnicko I saw in your photos all of the tropicals you were growing. When I see all of the plants that can be grown in cooler climates I feel a little jealous but there's something about being able to grow tropicals that is very satisfying.