Leaf Cutting Ant Forum

Sorry if this has been recommended before but I have loads of periwinkle in my garden. It grows like weeds and is evergreen. I don't why I didn't think of it before.

I've just put some in and they've demolished it.

Definitely another one to add to the list.

Can you take pic of the planet plz ???

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinca_major

This link has a lot of photos. It has purple flowers in the summer but just the evergreen leaves in the winter.

Are the leaves quite course?

deansie26 wrote:Are the leaves quite course?

No, I would describe them as soft. I little bit more robust than privet.

Great my nana as these in her garden haha think tonight I go out get some as its like ivy they grow mad thanks for the info tho

I'll need to keep an eye out for it.

Dont have any of that around. Sometimes I get it in the corner of one of my eyes but I have never thought of feeding them to my ants. Sounds interesting. Will keep a look out.

Here's a thought. At the end of last year i reared a lot of Oleander hawk moth caterpillars. The natural food plant for these is....Oleander. Ok so Oleander is a poisonous Mediterranean shrub and not exactly readily abundant to feed caterpillars on. So the alternative food plant for the caterpillar is Vinca, periwinkle. Periwinkle is also quite poisonous so wash your hands after use. These caterpillars will only thrive on Vinca major and not vinca minor as there is a difference in the chemical make up. Minor has course leaves. Major genrally soft. I know i'm boring you but the point i'm trying to make here is that i read an article about culling LF's in the wild using Oleander as this will kill them, and i was wondering if Vinca may have some of the same properties ?? if so best not use it perhaps.

Ive been feeding my attas periwinkle aswell and they love it, they take this with more enthusiasm than privet. they take the flowers as well on occasions.