This just began in the past few days. Something chewing up the leaves of my Black-Eyed Susan Vine and leaving what appear to be tiny little black droppings behind. I've scoured the plant for larvae or caterpillars or - anything that might be doing this.
Anyone recognize this damage? I gave it an insecticidal soap squirt.
2 photos of typical damage and one of the "souvenirs". :)
Thanks!
Deb
That reminds me of slug/snail damage but I don't know what their poops look like. Have you looked for slime trails?
that is some kind of caterpillar (lepidoptera).
If I had to guess they are army worms. They can be hard to find sometimes because they become the color of the foliage they eat. I had a few on my red geraniums the other day and they had a pickish tinge to them that made them hard to spot on the flower heads.
Pyrethrins or Bt will get them if they are small. Can also hand pick off if you can find them.
PF, no slime trails visible.
Drobarr, thanks, I'll inspect again. Thanks for the recommendations.
Thanks to you both for your replies! :)
Deb
Well, I've still not spotted a culprit, but there is no new damage, so either they left voluntarily ;> or the soap did the trick. :)
