Here is a photo I shot of the caterpillar that is eating the orange bells, yellow bells, and esperanzas...

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Are those eggs or poop? lol. I always thought those were poop. I am a novice, so probably not much help, but I handpick those things. I'd be interested, too, in what others have to say. By the time I notice them, they have already done damage.

You can get a spray called "BT" or anything with Spinosad in it to fight caterpillars. They did a number on a grape vine of mine.

P.

i just discovered the same caterpillars on my yellow bells... have you had any luck getting rid of them? i don't want to use chemical sprays... i was thinking of trying a recipe i found that's a hot chili, onion, garlic, and soapy water spray.

Hiya, I agree with pgde as usual. You can purchase a bacterium that specifically kills caterpillars. It's called Bt (abbreviation for Bacillus thurengiensis). You just mix it with water and spray on the foliage. It's all natural and will kill caterpillars that eat sprayed foliage. It takes a couple of days to work but it DOES work and it's all natural. Nearly any big box hardware store will have it, plus any local nursery.

Good luck. Let us know what you do and how it works out. I usually leave caterpillars on most plants so I can get cool butterflies and moths, but sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do, LOL. I always keep some bt on hand.

Take care,
Grant