I grew a lovely little seedling from some seeds Cala sent me. I knew it probably wouldn't have blooms this year I was so late setting it out but it was looking so good - about a foot tall - eight or so leaves. Nothing had bothered this particular guy this summer until I took a walk this morning. From the other side of the flowerbed, I thought, what in the world. Closer inspection revealed five and one-half leaves gone, only partial stems remaining. On the underside of the half leaf was a tobacco hornworm. Boy, is he a wild looking guy. We put him in a large clear plastic container with lid and some bottom brug leaves. Can't leave him out there with my brugs. Geez!!! Brenda
Brug seedling
Those hornworms are little pigs!! The leaves should grow back and it will recover.
Can you say....SQUISH!!!! LOL Thats what I do with them.
was it the green kind with the horn that looks from outer space? those are the ones i believe make the clear wing hummer moth, they have a yellow back and buzz around here sometimes in the daytime, middle of the day. they are really pretty. i've been meaning to find me a gallon jar, i had a couple and kept monarch cats in them a couple of summers ago. kids thought i was nuts but it was such fun watching them turn into cocoons. i missed getting to watch them become butterflies, not by much. i should find something, there haven't been many monarchs around this year, have only seen 5-6 of their cats. i haven't figured out if they are queen or florida viceroy. i would love to see a pic when it becomes a cocoon, don't know what those look like.
i have started using bayer rose 2 in 1 on about 1/2 dozen brugs that cats and i both love best!
Arlene, that's a good idea. I do have a gallon glass jug somewhere. I will take pictures as it progresses. He is such a pig and quite the pooping machine and that is really weird - looks like they came through a cookie press or candy mold. I always marvel at God's creatures. Brenda
(it would be so nice if I could type)
This message was edited Sunday, Sep 22nd 4:53 PM
Brenda the monarch's are awesome. they somehow turn green with a gold rim around the top. i know what the fritillary cocoons look like, would love to see the hummer moth one. it sounds like yours is pretty big already, won't take long! the monarchs became cocoons i believe in the morning and i read they would open by 9 am, just forgot to watch! i think it was 11 or so days in the cocoon. just put a few air holes in the top.