I am planning to plant some Passion Flower plants near my large 15 foot Bismark Palm.  Does anyone know whether the butterfly caterpillars attracted to these plants could pose a threat to my Bismark?  I am aware of the weevil threat,  but cannot find anything regarding butterfly caterpillars.  Many thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Most caterpillars specialize on eating certain plants.  The caterpillars that eat passion flowers actually probably need the toxins in passion flowers for their own defense.  To say the least, passion flowers and Bismarck palms are very different.  So, I would be surprised that any proximity of passion flowers and Bismarck palms would lead to caterpillars "spilling over" from passion flowers to Bismarck palms.  Is your Bismarck palm strong and healthy?  If so, and you post a picture of it, then I bet PalmTalk horticulturalists much wiser than me may state, "The only insects that could pose a meaningful threat to that Bismarck are the dreaded weevils."

No. Having raised around 7 species of butterfly from caterpillar I can attest that caterpillars will not seek new cuisine. They stick to their host plants as they evolved to do so. If caterpillars were a threat a lot more people would be talking about it.

10 hours ago, awkonradi said:

Most caterpillars specialize on eating certain plants.  The caterpillars that eat passion flowers actually probably need the toxins in passion flowers for their own defense.  To say the least, passion flowers and Bismarck palms are very different.  So, I would be surprised that any proximity of passion flowers and Bismarck palms would lead to caterpillars "spilling over" from passion flowers to Bismarck palms.  Is your Bismarck palm strong and healthy?  If so, and you post a picture of it, then I bet PalmTalk horticulturalists much wiser than me may state, "The only insects that could pose a meaningful threat to that Bismarck are the dreaded weevils."

Andrei -- very much appreciate your quick response.  Makes sense, but I needed to hear that from folks who know a lot more about Bismarcks than I do.  Our Bismarck appears healthy after being battered by 2 hurricanes and a freeze in Florida last year. New fronds are strong and growing and new core spears look healthy.  I just love Bismarcks and couldn't take the risk of introducing a threat.  Thanks!

10 hours ago, TropicsEnjoyer said:

No. Having raised around 7 species of butterfly from caterpillar I can attest that caterpillars will not seek new cuisine. They stick to their host plants as they evolved to do so. If caterpillars were a threat a lot more people would be talking about it.

TropicsEnjoyer -- love hearing "caterpillars will not seek new cuisine."  So glad I joined Palm Talks with such wide expertise among its members.  Many thanks for adding to my peace of mind in protecting Otto (that's the name of my beautiful Bismarck.)  ;-))