Hi
Can anyone tell me what type of caterpillar this is?
They are attacking my conifers.
I have just been picking them off when I see them at the moment, so if someone can tell me the best way of stopping these little blighters, I would appreciate it.
Thanks
Brad
Nasty Caterpiller
- Bretts
- Bonsai Philosopher
- Posts: 6670
- Joined: November 14th, 2008, 11:04 pm
- Favorite Species: carpinus jbp
- Bonsai Age: 12
- Location: Jervis Bay NSW
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Contact:
Re: Nasty Caterpiller
In most cases just picking them of would be best in my opinion.
It's too bad your in such a hurry cause the stories I could tell you, Bushels and baskets of stories, hole crates full of stories. But if you can spare a moment I will tell you one story.
- Pup
- Knowledgeable rogue
- Posts: 6357
- Joined: November 12th, 2008, 5:19 pm
- Favorite Species: melaleucas
- Bonsai Age: 31
- Bonsai Club: Bonsai society of Western Australia
- Location: Southern Suburbs of Perth Western Australia
- Been thanked: 36 times
- Contact:
Re: Nasty Caterpiller
G, day Brad,
Yates put out a spray product called Success. It is formulated specifically for Caterpillars.I have use it with success.
It is a contact spray though so you might need a couple of goes.
I hope this helps in some way.
Pup
Yates put out a spray product called Success. It is formulated specifically for Caterpillars.I have use it with success.
It is a contact spray though so you might need a couple of goes.
I hope this helps in some way.

IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
- Jester
- Hi there crazy kids!!!
- Posts: 910
- Joined: March 15th, 2009, 8:14 pm
- Favorite Species: Serissa,Prunus,Cotoneaster,Fukien Tea,(In that Ord
- Bonsai Age: 5
- Location: Sydney
- Contact:
Re: Nasty Caterpiller
I think it may be a species of Helicoverpa (Budworm Caterpillar)
John
John
This message has been created with 100% recycled electrons
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 99
- Joined: November 14th, 2008, 9:25 am
- Favorite Species: juniper
- Bonsai Age: 36
- Bonsai Club: Bonsai Study Group
Re: Nasty Caterpiller
This little beastie is the Lily Caterpillar, Spodoptera picta. If you have clivias in the garden they just love them and can kill the plant in very short order. I had an infestation a couple of years ago. They can gather in vast numbers under the strap like leaves of the clivea and the damage can be done before the beasts are discovered. Folimat is a good knock down spray to use if they are in great numbers. If in small numbers and can be picked off, the application of a large foot has the desired effect. If you see a few, keep looking and you may be unfortunate to find their relatives hiding from the light. Google "Lily caterpillar" for more information.
Good luck,
John T
Good luck,
John T
- buddaboy
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 195
- Joined: January 8th, 2009, 2:27 pm
- Favorite Species: Figs, Flowering Apricot, Bougainvillea
- Bonsai Age: 0
- Location: Gladstone Central Queensland
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: Nasty Caterpiller
If it was on my trees it would be a DEAD catapiller





I am the black sheep of the Bonsai world.
- Michael
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 112
- Joined: September 4th, 2009, 11:52 am
- Favorite Species: pines-figs-junipers
- Bonsai Age: 18
- Bonsai Club: ausbonsai.com
- Location: illawarra
- Has thanked: 1 time
Re: Nasty Caterpiller
Try dipel powder i found to work on clivea infestation at our unit complex.Major infestation was gone after two applications would suggest using half strength
on bonsai at first .Kill by foot where possible nasty buggers will return if not checked.
Regards Michael
on bonsai at first .Kill by foot where possible nasty buggers will return if not checked.
Regards Michael