Tiny Green worms!

Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:11 am

Hello - I noticed today that some little bonsai-2-be seedlings are infested with little green caterpillars! - and they are making a meal of the leaves! Does anyone know what these are and how to get rid of them?

Thanks in advance!

Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:51 am

alisios,

Sorry I don't recognize them with any certainty but they might be cabbage Loopers.

Look over your plants one by one and hand pick them off. You can always try the oft-recommended soap spray to kill any newly hatched individuals. Bacillus thuringiensis available to safely kill caterpillars but it is species specific so a positive ID is important with this remedy.

Norm

Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:22 am

Hello Norm - thanks for the reply! It turns out to be a slight infestation of them! These were on the mesquite seedlings I started at the beginning of the year. (which are doing well!)

I spent some time removing the gourmet visitors and then sprayed the plants with insecticidal soap...

Thanks again!

Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:58 am

alisios,

Glad to hear the seedlings are doing well, excepting the worms. You'll want to keep a close eye on them in the coming days in case they return.

Norm

Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:37 am

Just a ditto, that they look like they might be cabbage moth caterpillars (thos white to yellow "butterflies" that are EVERYWHERE) to me as well. Definitely keep an eye out for any more caterpillars, but keep an eye out for eggs as well.

Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:05 pm

Those things looks like they could be ALOT of trouble in extreme #'s.
I agree with Norm and kdodds.

But as I was about to say.......That's BAD JUJU man, very BAD JUJU.
(just jokin'

)

Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:25 pm

kdodds wrote: Definitely keep an eye out for any more caterpillars, but keep an eye out for eggs as well.

Do you think insecticidal soap would help?

Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:56 am

With eggs? Hmm... don't know for sure, but my guess would be a tentative yes since it prevents most insect infestations from reoccuring for some time.