Caterpillars are a cannabis enemy. They are the larval stage of butterflies and moths, often the same color as leaves, and can quickly savage plants. They chew continuously and can destroy seedlings overnight. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can get rid of caterpillars, or introduce predators.

Caterpillars - a late-summer pest in your Cannabis Garden

Aug 14, 2023

Ed Rosenthal

*The photo above: You might not see the caterpillar because it is already
burrowed deep into the flower, but you can spot its feces. If you have
caterpillars botrytis is not far behind. It grows on the feces and the
areas where the caterpillar damaged the plant. It pays to be
vigilant! Photo by **Christian Petke*

In July, my newsletters discussed battling plant enemies like bugs and
mold. But there’s another cannabis enemy that may affect your garden later
in the season: *caterpillars.*

Caterpillars are the larval stage of butterflies and moths. Caterpillars
are often the same color as leaves, so they are hard to spot. There are a
range of caterpillars that commonly infest cannabis. This includes corn
earworms, cutworms, cabbage worms, and corn borers.

Caterpillars are voracious eating machines and can savage plants very
quickly. They chew continuously to support their high growth rate. They can
destroy a tray of seedlings overnight.

*Photo above; Something will always nibble on your plants but make sure the
critters don't take over your grow. Photo by **Christian Petke*

Leaf-eaters leave large holes as calling cards in the leaves they dine on.
Corn earworms, cabbage worms, and other caterpillars also infest buds. A
bud that turns brown and wilts “for no reason” may house a caterpillar
consuming it from within.

Caterpillars reproduce slowly compared with many pests, but they have large
appetites and each one can cause a lot of damage.

The best way to get rid of caterpillars is by using Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt), which is a bacteria that causes plague in caterpillars and is not
interested in humans or pets. Bt is applied as a spray or more effectively
using a fogger. There are many brands on the market, but the main
ingredient should be Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

Another method of controlling caterpillars is to introduce predators.
Options include spined soldier bugs, minute pirate bugs (Orius insidiosus),
and green lacewings. Parasitic nematodes (S. feltiae) control subterranean
larvae.

*BT and an industrial strength Fogger. **Here** is one with great ratings
and a great discount. Photo by **Christian Petke*