Caterpillar Pests: Identification and Control

Caterpillars (moth/butterfly larvae) include bagworms, gypsy moths, leafrollers, tent caterpillars. In edible gardens: cabbage worms, codling moths, hornworms.

• Cabbage worms: Adults lay eggs on brassicas; pale green larvae eat leaves. Pupate on stems—hard to eliminate at that stage. Prevention: floating row covers.
• Codling moths: Lay eggs on fruit blossoms; larvae (white with brown heads) tunnel inside fruit. Pupae overwinter in ground debris—clean up fall debris. Spray Bt at petal fall if regional problem.
• Hornworms: Eggs on undersides of solanaceous leaves; large (5 in.) bright green larvae strip foliage. Pupate underground—till soil in spring to expose/dry pupae; rotate crops. Handpick visible worms.

All three susceptible to Bt when newly emerged and feeding heavily. Chemical: carbaryl, malathion. For codling moth, spray before larvae enter fruit.