Fantastic. Thanks.

Caterpillars were my first thought but I didn't find any and no trace evidence either - they will often leave droppings. That's why I suspected the grasshoppers. From what little bit of leaf is left here and there, it's pretty obvious that it's a bug of some sort. The stems look fine at this point.

Any recommendations of preventative measures?

@RussRAB In spite of what it looks like, they are not damaging the plant, so no control is necessary. Grasshoppers can come from miles away and the butterfly/caterpillar have a symbiotic relationship with the plant. I have had as many as 50,000 on my vines and very seldom see any droppings. The plant will increase it's growth rate and "poison" content once the caterpillars start to eat it. It's a Texas native, so it should be OK without any intervention.

@glennlab - OK, I'll keep them well watered and keep an eye on them. Thanks for the advice.

We do have cicadas every year here (ugh! they are loud). I haven't seen this kind of damage before.

I have seen plenty of wildlfe I never expected in a suburdpban setting - opossum, raccoon, gray fox, squirrel of course, and even a coyote. That last one was a real surprise. I have yet to see any deer.

How did deer get on your island?

@FrayedBear Oh, my dear Bear, deer are EVERYWHERE in the PNW!

@tinkercreek I ask the question because I was recently on an island that has large populations of kangaroos, koalas & possums. All would have been eaten to extinction by 1900. As far as I'm aware koalas & possums do not swim & I doubt that roos can swim 200 metres.

@FrayedBear They have been here sine the beginning. Most animals as deer and bears can swim. Our problem is that with all the sheep, pig and cattle ranchers here predators are not permitted. The deer and rabbit populations have exploded. Two years ago a epidemic wiped out most of the rabbits (they are making a comeback) and this year a sort of hemorrhagic fever has started hitting the deer. Oh, I forgot, this must be another governmental conspiracy!?

@tinkercreek Too often people bring some animals over as 'exotic' pets (look at all the Boa's in Florida). I doubt anyone brought deer. Last year a bear was spotted. It was a male looking for a partner and swam from the mainland to all the main islands. He was spotted but never caught.When he was spotted on Orcas people thought he might run for mayor (people who run must put their pet in place for them). Finally, he was caught on the mainland at a spot he was first seen. He had lost a lot of weight with no success (we think we have it hard). [islandssounder.com]

@JackPedigo that's how many of our ferals arrived. As you say deer & bears can swim.

@JackPedigo That poor guy!

@tinkercreek It was said he looked really emaciated. Now he's a member of the lonely hearts club!