Side note: In my online search, I did learn about a recent "discovery" in Texas: Flea Beatles have been found eating rose bush leaves in the Dallas area. Roses aren't typically invaded by these guys.
This afternoon while leaving the apartment, I looked at my plant on the front porch like I always do. Aside from my Penta drooping from the lack of water, many more leaves had been chomped in half! Suddenly, I saw eyes staring back at me!
What are these crazy caterpillars?! They're called Tersa Sphinx Moth Caterpillars. Apparently they LOOOVE Pentas. I pulled 5 of them off with chopsticks (a little scared to touch them with my hands).
Notice the eaten leaves and fat guys hiding?
yes, these varmints destroyed one nice looking penta plant. My dachshund alerted me to one caterpillar and then we discovered 9 more. She's still sniffing and hopefully will alert me to more! First time ever seeing these caterpillars on my pentas.
ReplyDeleteCan you spray for these? And do they just eat the leaves and the plant comes back?
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