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How to stop blue caterpiller eating my purple/brown leaf plant

1919Melanie1919Melanie Posts: 11
in Problem solving

Hi all,

Last year a small blue caterpillar stripped my tall purple/brown plants just before the flowers bloomed. I could not find out what the plants or the caterpillars are as no one knew either.

This year, the caterpillar is back and starting to much its way through the plant. It is not interested in any other plant - at least it was not last year so I am hoping it will be the same this year. 

Could someone a. identify the plant for me and b. help out on what this caterpillar is and c. how to get rid of it.

Thanks in anticipation....

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Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    I don't know what the plant is but the caterpillar-like thing in the 2nd image is a sawfly larva.  Those cause much more damage and strip plants vey quickly.  A truly organic control is to inspect the plant every day and pick them off by hand but if that's not practical, look for a spray containing Pyrethrum which is considered organic as it is extracted from plants of the chrysanthemum family.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    I think the plant is Lysimachia ciliata probably 'Firecracker' and I agree re the sawfly larva



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • 1919Melanie1919Melanie Posts: 11

    Thanks for the info. I'll give the spray a go.  Melanie

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