This Creature is eating our Butterfly Bush. Help!!!

AnnieOak Los Angeles, CA May 10, 2012

Hello Friends, This little critter is eating the butterfly bush in my son's school garden. The bush is seriously infested. We've had the plant in the garden for three years now and this is the first time we've had any issues. Does anyone know what it is and if there's an eco-friendly solution to ending it's feeding frenzy? Or should we just bite the bullet and trim the bush way back? This is the view of it under a magnifying lens - it's probably between a quarter and half an inch long and about an eighth of a inch wide. Thanks!!

This message was edited May 10, 2012 2:33 PM

Post #9118828

Quote

sallyg Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b) May 11, 2012

With that kind of head, I'm wondering if it is a caterpillar, or in a different bug family,. Bacillus thuringiensis kills caterpillars. There are insecticidal soap sprays that should work on either..

Post #9120452

Quote

LadyAshleyR Oakland, MD May 12, 2012

I was wondering the same thing. Whether a skipper or sawfly larvae...

Post #9121121

Quote

Sheila_FW Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) May 13, 2012

Looks like a skipper butterfly to me, but no clue which one.

Post #9122212

Quote

DonnaB Vancleave, MS(Zone 8b) May 13, 2012

hope this helps. http://www.butterflyfunfacts.com/butterflybush.php
I would use soapy water not BT and prune the bush back very well

Post #9122243

Quote

sallyg Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b) May 13, 2012

My bad, for suggesting a caterpillar toxin, on a BUTTERFLY BUSH. What was I thinking. Well, I was thinking plant survival and the happiness of the poster. Personally, I'd assume the plant will survive, butterfly bushes being tough plants.

The posted crittter could be a very young stage of the buckeye caterpillar, I really don't know if they change that much If there is a teacher willing to support, it could be an education in life cycle and host plants.

Post #9122528

Quote

Please or sign up to post.

Back to Forum Homepage