Identifying Caterpillars in the garden

As summer winds down the populations of caterpillars seems to be on the rise. Some are the larva of butterflies but most are moths. Let’s take a closer look and meet some interesting caterpillars in the garden.

All caterpillars have a similar lifecycle—egg, larva, pupa, adult.

Caterpillars are near the bottom of the food chain, providing protein-rich nourishment to a multitude of birds, bees, bats, frogs, snakes, toads, and small mammals.

There are about 11,000 or more species of moths in the world and many are important pollinators. The larvae of a few just eat dead leaves but most like the lush green ones better.

If you are finding the leaves on some of your plants are suddenly being eaten, look closely for a caterpillar!

The hornworms, which are sphinx moth larvae, have started popping up on the tomato and pepper plants. They are so well-camouflaged that you usually notice them until a large amount of  foliage has disappeared. If you find one with white cocoons on its back, let it be.

Tiny braconid wasps are beneficial insects that you want to have living in your garden. 

Yours in the garden Farm2Markt