The Tropical Fruit Forum

Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Orkine on June 03, 2018, 04:42:52 PM

Title: Should I get rid of these or live and let live
Post by: Orkine on June 03, 2018, 04:42:52 PM
I have had some time caterpillars doing a number on some of my cherimoya root stock.  I was out picking them off and came across these two much larger specimens.
They are pond apple seeds I started and I don't have a problem with them having some of the leaves.
I just want to know what these are and if I should be worried and get rid of them or if they are young of some lovely butterfly I should let live.


(https://thumb.ibb.co/f9v1Vy/IMG_20180603_135753640.jpg) (https://ibb.co/f9v1Vy) (https://thumb.ibb.co/cnkPiJ/IMG_20180603_135747265.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cnkPiJ)
Title: Re: Should I get rid of these or live and let live
Post by: Jesssfl27 on June 03, 2018, 04:52:24 PM
Looks like a fruit piercing moth caterpillar from the genus gonodonta. Get rid of it. They can damage nearby fruit. 
Title: Re: Should I get rid of these or live and let live
Post by: Orkine on June 03, 2018, 08:46:24 PM
Done, thanks.  They munch fast too.
They had finished the one leaf and were moving on to others when I picked them off.
I assume there are others and will have to watch closely.

Perhaps it is time to spray.
Title: Re: Should I get rid of these or live and let live
Post by: Jesssfl27 on June 04, 2018, 03:02:09 AM
Quite unfortunate too since they’re pretty cool looking with the black and orange. I find them every once in a while on my custard apple and toss em on the concrete for the birds.
Title: Re: Should I get rid of these or live and let live
Post by: Mike T on June 04, 2018, 04:21:50 AM
A few dazzling species Graphium butterflies live on garden Annonas in my area but none of the fruit piercing moths do.
Title: Re: Should I get rid of these or live and let live
Post by: Jackson on June 04, 2018, 01:39:39 PM
You might make some new friends if you do that.
toss em on the concrete for the birds.
I had some large planters stacked outside for a few months. A couple of months ago I took two from the stack to use and found a couple of cockroaches in the bottom of one, UGH!!! I dumped them out in the backyard and a gray catbird immediately grabbed them. Now, whenever I am in the back rooting around in one of my pots, he lands at my feet looking for a treat. I would love to feed him something, but I am not keeping any cockroaches around to keep him happy, that's for sure!