Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> About Gardening

Yellow-Necked Caterpillars on Blueberries: Early Bt Control

Small caterpillars clustered on a blueberry leaf are likely immature yellow-necked caterpillars (Datana ministra). Left unchecked, they can defoliate branches.

Spray immediately with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)—sold as Dipel, Thuricide, or Caterpillar Attack. Bt is specific to caterpillars, safe for bees and beneficials, and very effective on young larvae.

About Gardening: Caterpillars or Millipedes in Log Home? Millipedes Confirmed; Caterpillars on Live Oak: Yellownecked or Orangestriped Oakworm; Thousands of Tadpoles: Beneficial, Self-Limiting, Bird Food; Why Your Onions Only Produce Scallions; Small Holly Replacements: Beyond 'Helleri' for Compact Spaces; Yellow-Necked Caterpillars on Blueberries: Control with Bt or Spinosad; Why Blueberries Didn’t Fruit This Year; Dwarf Evergreen Blueberry Identified: Vaccinium darowii; Identifying Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) in Your Yard; Yellow-Necked Caterpillars on Blueberries: Treat with Spinosad or Bt

Garden Articles

Yellow Azalea Leaves in Winter: Normal or Problem?

Blueberry Yellow Leaves: Iron Chlorosis from High Soil pH

River Birch Sawfly Larvae: Not Caterpillars, Require Different Control

Azalea Winter Leaf Drop: Normal Seasonal Behavior

Yellownecked Caterpillars: Identifying and Controlling Blueberry Pests

Blueberry Cane Renewal: Annual Pruning for Sustained Production

Mystery Solved: Those Aren't Blueberries, They're Viburnum

Plants

Whiteflies on Weeping Mulberry: Identification and Monitoring

Daylily Leaf Yellowing After Sudden Heat: Environmental Stress Response

Yellowing Gardenias? Check Soil pH Before Blaming Bugs

Yellow Jackets on Hibiscus: Hunting Aphid Honeydew

Identifying and Controlling Tent Caterpillars

Cactus Mass Mortality After Florida Relocation: Sun Acclimation Failure

Forgotten Military Cacti: Cold + Wet = Likely Dead