This is a red castor bean leaf. Occasionally worms like this attack it and do considerable damage. I was inspecting the plant yesterday and found this beheaded worm and a stink bug hanging around it on a leaf's underside. I also see some tiny white eggs on the leaf. Can anyone put this nature scene together for me as I am very curious to know about it. Thank you.
The only sure thing here is that the stink bug didn't do it, as they can't bite...
I figured that, Any any ideas on why he's be hanging around there though?
Assuming you're referring to the Stink Bug, do you have fruit trees or veggies around? Probably feeding on them if you do.
No, the stink bugs feed on the castor bean plant, so he's not really in an unusual place in general. He just seems attracted to this dead, beheaded worm and hangs around it. I did not think castor beans had any pests at all, but they do.All kinds of stink bugs......and this worm, which I think is a kind of army worm.
About midway to the left of the worm is that string of what looks to be white eggs. They run alongside a leaf vein. Any thoughts on what that might be?
ransom3, any small critter could have taken the head off that larva. A lizard might have taken a bite then decided he didn't like the taste! It's just one more of nature's mysteries.
