What is eating the flowers?

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kneff Dearborn, MI(Zone 5b) May 23, 2004

A small caterpillar (whitish green) is ruining my lilies, ladies mantle, autumn joy sedum, and mullein. It wraps itself into a leaf, webs it over, and uses that as a base point for eating new leaves and all the flower buds. The top of the plant is distorted, and the damage is permanent for the season, since the flowers are gone. The largest of them are 1-1/4 inches long; most are smaller. They are very fast, and wriggle away and drop to the ground if exposed. I've learned that I have to squish them in the folded leaf. Does anyone know what they are, and if there is any natural control other than the search and destroy I've been doing? It's pretty depressing how many plants have been wrecked. Sometimes, too, they actually eat through the stem and the whole top of the plant falls off.

Post #880517
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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) May 24, 2004

Bacillus thuringiensis, also called Bt. It only affects soft-bodied worms (the variety Kurstaki). You can buy it in powdered form sold as Dipel, or in liquid that you dilute into a spray called Thuricide.

It is also harmless to any birds that may eat the infected caterpillars.

One other note, it is also detrimental to the Swallowtail butterfly caterpiller/larva so if they are on an endangered list in your area then I'd use it sparingly.

Post #881650
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kneff Dearborn, MI(Zone 5b) May 25, 2004

Thank you, Horseshoe. Since specific types of plants have been chosen by this critter, I can use it very carefully and only on those plants.

Post #882723
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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) May 25, 2004

Bt is an often-used product in my veggie garden. I know you can get rid of them wormies easily w/it. (By the way, it's also non-toxic to humans and pets so feel comfortable w/it.)

Hope to hear back from ya and let us know how it goes, okay?

Post #882731
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kneff Dearborn, MI(Zone 5b) May 26, 2004

Thanks, I will. I wish I knew what the caterpillars are, and wish they'd just eat leaves, rather than the flower buds. I happily allow painted lady larvae to chew up my licorice vine, and don't mind some grazing by insects, but these guys are doing real damage.

Post #883806
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