Fat Caterpillars Demolish My Potted Plant - What Are They?

[mahtin]

Suppose I could wait for metamorphosis, but probably somebody knows?

[LennyW]

They grow into these beautiful moths............ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daphnis_nerii

[mahtin]

Wow, I am honoured.

Thanks.

[tolsti]

yes... hawk moth... and yes... they can do a lot of damage to your plants.

[F1fanatic]

To look on the bright side - if its the plant and caterpillar I think it is, the shrub will grow leaves again and thrive.

Then the cycle starts again...

[LennyW]

To look on the bright side - if its the plant and caterpillar I think it is, the shrub will grow leaves again and thrive.

Then the cycle starts again...

Yes, Adenium family, Desert rose or Chon Chom as they are called locally, i laugh when i see the caterpillar eating the leaves - it is bright green, then it eats the pink/red flowers and it's body turns pink!

[mahtin]

Buggers didn't waste much time.

Flowers for hors d'oeuvre.

[cooked]

Yeah, two days away and our plants were defoliated. Either you go check every day or you spray something.

[JetsetBkk]

Buggers didn't waste much time.

Flowers for hors d'oeuvre.

Is that plant a "Desert Rose"? I had the same problem with my Desert Rose when I lived in Phuket Town. Fortunately it survived.

I found one of the fat caterpillars eating the lush green leaves. I ceremoniously picked it off and sliced it up using my garden knife. I then looked much closer and found another six hiding under the leaves. Cunning little buggers; all sliced up.

[cooked]

Buggers didn't waste much time.

Flowers for hors d'oeuvre.

Is that plant a "Desert Rose"? I had the same problem with my Desert Rose when I lived in Phuket Town. Fortunately it survived.

I found one of the fat caterpillars eating the lush green leaves. I ceremoniously picked it off and sliced it up using my garden knife. I then looked much closer and found another six hiding under the leaves. Cunning little buggers; all sliced up.

I'm afraid they finish up in my beloved neighbour's garden.