saltydad

This afternoon in looking at some older Basjoo leaves that were brown and tattered, I noted that they are being eaten by a caterpillar. I have attached pics; can someone tell me what it is and more importantly, how to get rid of it? Would Bayer 3 way work? Thanks!

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Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men"

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"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
John F. Kennedy, September, 1960


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island cassie

Eeek!! never seen any bad boys like that! Could you pick them off and squash them? They really munch on turbo. You need something quickly.

Cassie

NANAMAN

That's a Saddleback caterpillar, don't touch it bare handed unless you enjoy a lot of pain! A dose of BT , sold at home depot under the name (Thuricide) will stop them from feeding within 24 hrs. They'll be dead shortly there after, and BT is not a poison. Good Luck!

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saltydad

Man these are nasty critters. Thanks for the ID Nanaman. For the rest of us, here's a data paragraph or so. Thanks for the warning!

Saddleback Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea)

SIZE: 1 inch (25 mm)
COLOR: Purplish-brown body with a purplish saddle shape on its green back.
DESCRIPTION: The saddleback caterpillar is about an inch long, and has poisonous spines on four large projections (tubercles) and many smaller ones that stick out from the sides of its body. The "saddle" consists of an oval purplish-brown spot in the middle of a green patch on the back. Saddleback caterpillars feed on the leaves of basswood, chestnut, cherry, plum, oak, and other trees and shrubs.
HABITAT: The saddleback caterpillar is a general feeder and is generally found on shade trees and ornamental shrubs in late summer.
LIFE CYCLE: Adults tend to take flight in mid-summer.
TYPE OF DAMAGE: The poisonous hairs or spins are hollow and connected to underlying poison glands. Contact with them causes a burning sensation and inflammation that can be as painful as a bee sting. The irritation can last for a day or two and may be accompanied by nausea during the first few hours. Usually the site of contact reddens and swells much like a bee sting.
CONTROL: A person "stung" by a poisonous caterpillar should immediately wash the affected area to remove any insect hairs and poison that remain. An ice pack will help reduce swelling, and creams and lotions containing steroids will lessen the discomfort and promote healing. Persons known to be sensitive to insect stings should consult a physician. Stinging caterpillars rarely occur in sufficient numbers to be considered plant pests, but people who work with ornamental plants should learn to recognize them and avoid touching them.



Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension

__________________
Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men"

"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon





"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
John F. Kennedy, September, 1960


http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and
http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad
http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

buzzwinder

Sounds like a nasty Lil Bugger, Thanks for the heads up as myself or my kids may have tried to pick one of these off a plant if we saw it. Thank You

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Bill for my friend

stumpy4700

[b]WOW[b] I've never seen them before. Its good they put a bulls-eye on the back of them. We Tennesseans like target shooting.

Magilla Gorilla

Wow, you grow big bugs in Maryland! I only have gophers to deal with.

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Andrew

ClevelandCATHY

Just another reminder about saddlebacks. I was separating some pups today, and one got me on the arm. Just wasn't looking close enough, or i would have seen the holes in the leaves. Since this is the time of year when we're digging up pups, i thought i'd remind everyone to look at your plant before you start digging. They hurt like the dickens.

musa_monkey

wow that is some beastie, happily for us we only have poor weather to deal with.