perennial catapillar pest - Ask Extension
Help! this catapillar (see pic) is destroying our perennial bushes specifically ourOrange Jubilee and our Texas Ranger. It destroys the tops eliminati...
Knowledgebase
perennial catapillar pest #145126
Asked August 04, 2013, 1:11 PM EDT
Help! this catapillar (see pic) is destroying our perennial bushes specifically our
Orange Jubilee and our Texas Ranger. It destroys the tops eliminating any chance
for blossums. Rest of bush is okay. Pic shows the villian and in background is top
piece of an Orange Jubilee branch.
Please advise- what is this? How to rid? Organic preferred.
Orange Jubilee and our Texas Ranger. It destroys the tops eliminating any chance
for blossums. Rest of bush is okay. Pic shows the villian and in background is top
piece of an Orange Jubilee branch.
Please advise- what is this? How to rid? Organic preferred.
Pima County Arizona
Expert Response
The image is of the genista caterpillar, Uresiphita
reversalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
These caterpillars form loose webbing on the foliage and feed on leaves
causing unsightly damage. Plant health
is generally unaffected by feeding unless large numbers of caterpillars are
present. Control of the genista caterpillar is generally unwarranted, but in
some high infestation situations, such as in commercial nurseries or in
high-value landscapes, control or suppression may be needed.
For control of small infestations
on small plantings, hand removal, pruning infested terminals, and/or the use of
high-pressure water sprays may be sufficient.
For heavy infestations, the use of insecticide applications may be
warranted. When using insecticides,
spray the leaves when the small larvae first appear. Broad-spectrum insecticides that contain
acephate, carbaryl, or synthetic pyrethroids (e.g., bifenthrin, cypermethrin,
permethrin) should be very effective in controlling the genista
caterpillar. Some alternative insecticides
that should offer some control are products containing Bacillus
thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt) or spinosad. These products are best used when
caterpillars are small and actively feeding on leaves.
