Help identifying strawberry plant pest - Ask Extension
My strawberry plants leaves are being devoured by a mysterious little green caterpillar. It is green with no stripes or other colors, every section h...
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Help identifying strawberry plant pest #574254
Asked June 26, 2019, 11:15 AM EDT
My strawberry plants leaves are being devoured by a mysterious little green caterpillar. It is green with no stripes or other colors, every section has a leg. It eats all the leaves except the spines. They usually are on the underside of the leaves. I also have noticed lots of black dirt like spots on the plants that are not dirt. Is it poop? Eggs? I also have noticed lots of brown moths around my strawberry plants. Adults maybe? Any idea what this bug is?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The caterpillars you're finding are sawfly larvae. They can be hand removed or sprayed with insecticidal soap - there are organic options available.
The moth is unrelated to the caterpillars.
The moth is unrelated to the caterpillars.