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Identify caterpillar and larvae

jaayceeyjaayceey Posts: 10
in Problem solving

Hello all, can anyone advise me on what these little beasties are that are eating my best smelling flowers? I'm very new to gardening and know practically nothing!
Thanks
Jenny
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Posts

  • MuddyForkMuddyFork Posts: 435
    It looks more like a slug than a caterpillar. Can't quite see if it has legs.
  • jaayceeyjaayceey Posts: 10
    MuddyFork said:
    It looks more like a slug than a caterpillar. Can't quite see if it has legs.
    Thanks MuddyFork, I do have a big slug problem but this is def a caterpillar of some sort  yes it does have legs! 
  • jaayceeyjaayceey Posts: 10
    Here's more of a close up...
  • jaayceeyjaayceey Posts: 10
    It's head is actually inside the flower bud, you can see the other buds with holes in where they are eating a hole in the top and burying in! I have other flowers and plants and they've only attacked this one so far. 
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    Could be a Yellow Underwing Moth caterpillar, but hard to say from that angle.
  • jaayceeyjaayceey Posts: 10
    Sheps said:
    Could be a Yellow Underwing Moth caterpillar, but hard to say from that angle.
    Thanks Sheps, I'll look into that  It appears they have laid tiny larvae around the base too, they look like half grains of rice, so more of them to come :(
    If they are these yellow Underwing, any idea how I can get rid of them? 
    Thanks again.
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    edited July 2018
    Hi jaay...I don't think caterpillars can lay larvae, as the caterpillar is the larvae of the Moth, so maybe caterpillar poop or something else.

    As for getting rid, just continue to pick off the caterpillars if you want.
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    edited July 2018
    Looks a lot like a Lychnis moth caterpillar.
    Hadina Bicruris. Not the striped one. 
  • jaayceeyjaayceey Posts: 10
    Sheps said:
    Hi jaay...I don't think caterpillars can lay larvae, as the caterpillar is the larvae of the Moth, so maybe caterpillar poop or something else.

    As for getting rid, just continue to pick off the caterpillars if you want.
    Thank you! 
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    Bijdezee said:
    Looks a lot like a Lychnis moth caterpillar.
    It's certainly showing the same feeding habits as the Lychnis.
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