I thought it was broad mites at first, but after recovering from spider mite infestation, I find this. These cats make a nest in the new growth, not allowing the leaves to open.. so it forces the plant to Y prematurely. They are so tiny I can't see them till there is already damage. I have 3 seedlings and a cutting of Maya that was forced to Y too soon.. What's next???
I have been having some Cat damage from tiny tiny cats also. I have sprayed and sprayed and it doesn't seem to help.
Here is another pic. I am not totally sure they are tent cats, but as soon as I read the name, it described them perfectly.
I had 2 HUGE Cleomes growing with my brugs.. Although Cleome was awesome to look at, it attracted so many different moths, I believe that is where the trouble was coming from. First I had the cats that ate entire leaves overnight.. Then these lil killers..
Here is a pic of the huge moth that was visiting Cleome every night.
I tried Neem.. Polmolive, even straight alcohol.. nothing bothered them till I got a bottle of Safer's plant spray that included TENT cats on the label.. It might be my imagination, but it seemed overnight the new growth opened up on most of the damaged ones. I don't have the time or money for any high $ sprays.. I just grabbed 2 bottles of safers and it seems to have done the trick.
I sprayed several times with the Safers also. It seemed like they finally went away, only to come back a couple weeks later. I am spraying again tomorrow.
OH NO!!!!!!!! After Broad Mites, Spider Mites, A Melting Heat Wave, More Spider Mites, Cats, Shredding Winds, Now these cats... I really think I've earned some BLOOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since you've had everything in the book, think you deserve some blooms. Hope you see some soon!
Spraying didn't help me either. Now I'm pulling off the leaves they're on and disposing of them so the next population won't be so bad.
This is the kind of damage they can do at the all you can eat buffet before they go into the next stage.
