Caterpillar Woes

[Apicra]

I can't recall ever seeing a moth caught on a yellow-sticky strip, although I have lots cut up among my plants to keep Western Flower Thrips under control. One large caterpillar did blunder onto one and was extremely difficult to extricate without exploding it!.

There is chicken wire over the top & bottom vents (against birds & squirrels) and the side louvre vents are relatively narrow. So I wonder why such large-ish moths would come into a greenhouse? Would they be looking for sheltered places to "roost" for the winter?

Best wishes,
DT

[ralphrmartin]

Aren't quite a few night flowering cacti pollinated by moths? Their flowers are often scented (not always pleasantly!) - perhaps that's to attract the moths.

And why do some Crassula flowers smell so awful?

[iann]

Look away if you're of a delicate disposition. This isn't the only Conophytum that got attacked this winter, but at least it has a chance of surviving. A couple of others are probably dead.

This Odontophorus shows typical damage on succulents with larger leaves.

[el48tel]

It's soul destroying to see nurtured plants eaten away.
And then hear attempts at justifying the non use of pesticides.

[Pattock]

Having looked at some good photos online of UK moths out of the three species mentioned it is Light Brown Apple Moths in my Aeonium. (Of course it could be another species but the caterpillars aren't Cyclamen or Carnation tortrix.)

So one of those traps on order to see if it catches anything for the next 12 weeks or so in the conservatory!

So, you are getting one of these traps specific to the Light Brown Apple Moth?

https://www.agralan.co.uk/products/ligh ... -moth-trap
https://www.agralan.co.uk/products/ligh ... oth-refill

[edds]

Yep. Haven't ordered it yet but I will (now you've reminded me!) I found a moth a few days ago and I'm pretty sure it was a light Brown Apple Moth.

[Pattock]

It's soul destroying to see nurtured plants eaten away.
And then hear attempts at justifying the non use of pesticides.

Like the justification that the pesticides kill the predators which would normally keep the pests controlled? Then you get plagues of pests because there is nothing stopping them. Then you keep spraying despite the poisons not working anymore. Then you invent a new poison, rinse and repeat.

Are you old enough to have noticed that we don't have as many insects in this country as we used to? When I was young, every car journey would end with washing the dead bugs off the windscreen. That is why we have fewer of the many animals that depend on them.

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was a warning we should have heeded 59½ years ago. I can't believe there are still people poisoning their roses to keep them looking like a romance novel cover.

It is soul-destroying to me to see the wastelands we have created in the name of facile ease and luxury.

[Pattock]

Yep. Haven't ordered it yet but I will (now you've reminded me!) I found a moth a few days ago and I'm pretty sure it was a light Brown Apple Moth.

If I plant an apple tree, I now know to plant a red variety rather than a light brown one.

[el48tel]

It's soul destroying to see nurtured plants eaten away.
And then hear attempts at justifying the non use of pesticides.

Like the justification that the pesticides kill the predators which would normally keep the pests controlled? Then you get plagues of pests because there is nothing stopping them. Then you keep spraying despite the poisons not working anymore. Then you invent a new poison, rinse and repeat.

Are you old enough to have noticed that we don't have as many insects in this country as we used to? When I was young, every car journey would end with washing the dead bugs off the windscreen. That is why we have fewer of the many animals that depend on them.

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was a warning we should have heeded 59½ years ago. I can't believe there are still people poisoning their roses to keep them looking like a romance novel cover.

It is soul-destroying to me to see the wastelands we have created in the name of facile ease and luxury.

We will have to agree to take our independent views on this. Neither of us may be right. But we both have the right to our opinions.

[FredG]

I have successfully used nematodes from Nemasys on pitcher plants. They should clear all caterpillars.

I'd definitely recommend their use if the plants in question can tolerate the spraying in September.

NB: The product has a very short shelf life so don't purchase until you're ready to use.