What is this?

10 years ago

It's about 1.25" long. It's on my favorite mint plant and I don't want to kill it. What is it? Can I move it to another plant that is not mint? Would it survive?

Thank you in advance.

Featured Answer

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

10 years ago

PF...., I don't recognize the caterpillar but I sure wouldn't let it and its friends eat my favorite mint.

Have you tried the Butterfly Gardening Forum for an ID? There are some knowledgeable experts who frequent that forum and your little guys are likely to be identified.

Can't answer the question about survival wiithout knowing what they are, sorry.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
is your plant so small.. that this one bug will kill it??

if not.. it will be gone in a week or so.. leave it alone ...

ken
PFCMCL
Original Author
10 years ago
Small plant. There's 2 of these guys I can see. I pick the leaves often to eat them, but there's poo everywhere so the few healthy leaves I can find are not very appealing.

Does anybody know the answers to my original post? Thanks!
Related Professionals
Tampa Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Kansas City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Colorado Springs Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Bozeman Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Olympia Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Kahului Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Raleigh Landscape Contractors · Fargo Landscape Contractors · Williamsport Landscape Contractors · Las Cruces Landscape Contractors · Amarillo Landscape Contractors · Athens Kitchen Remodelers · Omaha Kitchen Remodelers · Temecula Kitchen Remodelers · Portland Kitchen Remodelers
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
with small favored plants.. i would just put it on the sidewalk.. and within minutes some bird would take care of it ...

ID wouldnt interest me.. but if it does you.. all the power to you ....

ken
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
you might also try the name that plant forum ... there are some bug experts there also ... just link back to this post ... ken
PFCMCL
Original Author
10 years ago
Found out it's a Heliothis Virescens from this site: http://bugguide.net/node/view/6/bgimage

On another website, I found out it feeds on a lot of plants, including my passion fruit vine. Wish them luck!
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
Good for you...I was thinking that it might be one of the Noctuidae caterpillars, just couldn't find it!

Most of us would consider this caterpillar a pest and better used for a nice little bird snack.
Fori
9 years ago
It could just as easily be cotton bollworm (H. zea). They kinda look identical without a microscope and I think they are more common in CA. Either way, things WILL BE EATEN. :)

(Rear a few out to adulthood to see what they are.)
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years ago
Fori, I don't think that the two species look anything alike, without a microscope!