hakunamatata Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 I have several varieties of Ipomea in the garden. Today after a heavy rainfall we have discovered the plants are invested with caterpillars all about 3" long with a horned tail. Some are bright green with yellow zig zags and red spots, some are green with a yellow back, dark red spots and orange horn with a black tip, and others are black with two orange lines along the back, all are about the thickness of a ring finger.All these caterpillars are, as far as I can ascertain, feasting on the Morning Glory. I have looked at Planet Passion and other sites and the nearest I can get is some sort of Hawk Moth but no photos exactly match. Unfortunately my batteries have just died on the camera so I cannot provide a photo myself.Any ideas ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 These maybe (the green and yellow?)http://www.flickr.com/photos/kafeiwu/3867541083/if it was on your morning glory it is probably the convolvulus hawkmoth caterpillar?http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=2559In any case, it sounds wonderful to have them, they are so spectacular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakunamatata Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 Thanks 5-element I cannot open the links for some reason. I am only worried that these charming characters may chew their way through something else. The Ipomoea are almost finished for the year so they can have them BUT NOTHING ELSE !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Goodness you're right Haku, very sorry, I can't open them myself now - and I thought I'd done everything right![:'(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Emergency link repair done! [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Thank you Clair - this puts me to shame, I thought I'd got the link problem licked, thanks to your excellent instructions a while back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakunamatata Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 Thank you 5-E thats the little devil! Still it looks as though it just likes convulvulous and nicotiania so it can strip the plants now as they are almost over anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Gorgeous, aren't they? So glad you could identify them - but once you have seen one, you never forget it. Now, you have got me thinking about convolvulus and tobacco plants, if that attracts them, it sounds worth trying... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakunamatata Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 I have the common Ipomoea and also the Giant Blue one, if you are thinking of growing them, the caterpillar seems to prefer the smaller flowered variety - good luck, let me know next year how you get on!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now