tiny little caterpillars all over my plants
#1
08-01-02, 01:59 PM
tiny little caterpillars all over my plants
Hi,
I have a problem with tiny little caterpillars on some of my potted plants. They are on my lantana, my hummingbird red salvia, and they are starting on my snapdragons and tomato plants. I have no idea what type they are. I also have no idea how to get rid of them. They are less than 1/2 inch, light green, and they are eating big holes on my plants. Some of the holes look as though they hadn't eaten all the way through. Please tell me what they are and how to KILL them!
Toni P.
I have a problem with tiny little caterpillars on some of my potted plants. They are on my lantana, my hummingbird red salvia, and they are starting on my snapdragons and tomato plants. I have no idea what type they are. I also have no idea how to get rid of them. They are less than 1/2 inch, light green, and they are eating big holes on my plants. Some of the holes look as though they hadn't eaten all the way through. Please tell me what they are and how to KILL them!
Toni P.
#2
08-01-02, 03:50 PM
I think we need more info - are they solid green or do they have any other markings? Do they hang down from the leaves on silk threads? What shape are the holes? Are they actually caterpillars (do they have lots of little legs) or are they worms?
#4
08-02-02, 10:01 AM
to skw655
they are about a quarter of an inch, they are a very light green, it looks like they have a tiny green stripe down there back. it is not a worm, it is a caterpillar of some sort. i put it under a microscope.
it crawls just like a caterpillar. and it has a tiny black dot for a face. i have it on a leaf right here beside me on my desk. and no, as far as i can see, they dont come down on silk lines. unless they do it at night.
so what is it! and how can i get rid of them without hurting my
plants!
toni p.
they are about a quarter of an inch, they are a very light green, it looks like they have a tiny green stripe down there back. it is not a worm, it is a caterpillar of some sort. i put it under a microscope.
it crawls just like a caterpillar. and it has a tiny black dot for a face. i have it on a leaf right here beside me on my desk. and no, as far as i can see, they dont come down on silk lines. unless they do it at night.
so what is it! and how can i get rid of them without hurting my
plants!
toni p.
#6
08-02-02, 10:50 AM
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Toni,
They are both organic and won't hurt your plants.
Bt is Bacillus thuringiensis. It comes in liquid form for spraying. Dipel is the powder form sold in a shaker can. Look or ask for it at garden centers.
check out this site: www.ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2174.html
fred
They are both organic and won't hurt your plants.
Bt is Bacillus thuringiensis. It comes in liquid form for spraying. Dipel is the powder form sold in a shaker can. Look or ask for it at garden centers.
check out this site: www.ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2174.html
fred
Last edited by fewalt; 08-02-02 at 03:14 PM.
#7
08-02-02, 11:23 AM
Toni
I'm not sure what they are. I can't seem to find anything that is that small and green. I'll keep looking and let you know if I find anything. Maybe someone from your area knows what they are from experience.
B.t. should work. It's also sold under the name Thuricide. A book says you should apply at sunset, directly to the underside of the leaf or on the soil. If it doesn't work, you could try something that contains Rotenone or Pyrethum, but I think my first try would be B.t. They can all be found at most nurseries, and possibly at stores that also carry plants. They won't hurt your plants, and are all organic. Avoid using Pyrethum near cold-blooded creatures such as fish and bodies of water as it is harmful to them.
Good Luck
Shane
I'm not sure what they are. I can't seem to find anything that is that small and green. I'll keep looking and let you know if I find anything. Maybe someone from your area knows what they are from experience.
B.t. should work. It's also sold under the name Thuricide. A book says you should apply at sunset, directly to the underside of the leaf or on the soil. If it doesn't work, you could try something that contains Rotenone or Pyrethum, but I think my first try would be B.t. They can all be found at most nurseries, and possibly at stores that also carry plants. They won't hurt your plants, and are all organic. Avoid using Pyrethum near cold-blooded creatures such as fish and bodies of water as it is harmful to them.
Good Luck
Shane
