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| I've always been under the impression that rosemary isn't a host plant for pests (like caterpillars, moths, etc.) because it never seems to be listed. It seemed that the strong fragrance might be a deterrant.
So imagine my surprise to find a looper caterpillar sitting inside my rosemary plant. The next day - looking deeper - I saw an adult/moth, and a pupa cocoon. They all seem to match up with soybean looper pictures. Since there really aren't any flowers around, I bet the perpetual fragrance stands out, and attracts them. |
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| Some larvae moth and butterfly species are dietary generalists, and the adults are free to deposit the eggs on most kinds of vegetation. Fragrance might be something of a deterrent for mammals, but I really suspect that it is the strong oils (and taste) of rosemary that keeps many insects (and the four legged pests) away. I have found, however, spider mites, whitefly, and beetles on rosemary. Deer and rabbits seem to avoid it, though! ;-) |
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