CLOSED: Catepillar ID

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palmbob Acton, CA(Zone 8b) Aug 02, 2006

These little catepillars (about 1.5" long, greenish) are single 'handedly' gobbling up entire Brugmansias in just a few days... don't see that many of them, but they are REALLY hungry!

Thumbnail by palmbob
Post #2577356
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llmallette Johnston, RI Aug 10, 2006

Palmbob,
When you find out what this is I really would appreciate it if you could pass it on these things are torturing my wave petunias. I have approx. 45 plants and every one is being eaten I have tried sevin dust and spray but I am afraid I am going to kill my flowers.
LLmallette

Post #2607674
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Moby Lincoln, NE(Zone 5b) Aug 11, 2006

I have the same problems with my petunias and the caterpillars are nearly identical to the pic above, though they are not necessarily identical to each other found on the same plants. http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/image?query=tobacco+budworms&invocationType=imageTab (more pics on page 2)

While I have yet to find anything truly definitive, several articles point to the tobacco budworm. Brugs, Dats, eggplant, potato, tobacco, tomato, and petunia are all in the Solanaceae (or nightshade) family. It stands to reason that the same or family-related Moth lays similar eggs.

Unfortunately, they're very difficult to treat for those that grow these crops. I have tried a couple different systemic poisons with little success.

Post #2609422
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llmallette Johnston, RI Aug 11, 2006

I have also decided they are budworms. I am going to try Dipel or BT. I read about them and they where recommended by another member. I just hope the liquid does not stain my flowers.

I also agree they are not the same color from plant to plant I think they change color to blend in.

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DonnaB Vancleave, MS(Zone 8b) Aug 11, 2006

I swear that looks like a Sulphur butter cat but it wouldn't be eating brugs. Must be a Sphinx Moth cat. Will see what I can find out

Post #2610389
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llmallette Johnston, RI Aug 14, 2006

I thimk I have these little critters beat. I used Thuricide. Also known as BT. I sprayed everything. WIthin 24 hours the eating has stopped. I am just waiting for them to die. BT in not an insecticide it is a bacteria. The worms eat it get sick and starve to death. The spray does not discolor the petunia flower.
Thanks for your help.
Lisa

Post #2621225
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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) Aug 14, 2006

i was going to suggest tobacco budworm and bt but i see it's all been covered. i have been spraying my cannas with bt and shot some on my one little brug the other day, even though it didn't have anything chewing on it yet. once these little fellas get going, it doesn't take long for them to demolish a plant.

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