Caught in the Act of Laying an Egg on Tendrils

You know the drill, lay 'em on the tendrils.

But Gulf Fritillary butterflies, Agraulis vanillae, don't always lay their eggs on the tendrils of their host plant, the passionflower vine (Passiflora) although textbooks may indicate that.

We've seen Gulf Frits lay eggs on and under the Passiflora leaves, on the stems, on the blossoms, and on nearby fence posts and screen doors.

Hey, Gulf Frits, are you trying to tell us something?  Don't you like the accommodations?

But the other day, we saw a Gulf Frit executing acrobatic moves to deposit an egg on a tendril.  A little breakdancing, Lindy hopping, pole-climbing, scooting, rolling, hooping and juggling--and she's done. 

The egg is tiny, bright yellow and pinpoint in size. It will probably hatch, but the larva or caterpillar may not make it.

Currently we have several California scrub jays enjoying an all-you-can-eat caterpillar buffet every morning. They sit on the fence, swoop down, grab a 'cat, and look for more.

There's always food in a pollinator garden. A Cooper's hawk that hangs out in the birdbath knows that, too.