Yellownecked Caterpillars: Identifying and Controlling Blueberry Pests

Spotting the Culprit

Those caterpillars stripping your blueberry bushes in half a day? Look just behind their black heads—a distinct yellow stripe encircles their "neck." That's the yellownecked caterpillar (Datana spp.), a voracious feeder on blueberries and other plants.

Effective Organic Control

The simplest solution: spray with a Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) based insecticide, available at garden centers. Apply in June and again in mid-August, then monitor for survivors before re-treating. B.t. targets caterpillars specifically, sparing beneficial insects.