Order Lepidoptera

caterpillars

Caterpillars belong to a large family that includes cabbage loopers, tent caterpillars, cabbage worms, corn earworms, tomato hornworms, and many other pests.

Hand-picking is the most effective treatment for small infestations. Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki is quite effective. The Trichogramma wasp and tachinid flies are available commercially; other wasps also can be very effective. Using various sticky compounds i.e. Tanglefoot on bark of trees can prevent them from reaching the fruit. Lures are now available to attract spined soldier bugs, Podisus maculiventris, a natural predator of many caterpillar species, as well as the bug itself. Pyrethrins can be used as a last resort.

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