When we were gone to China, we were amazed at how much our new Satsuma Tangerine tree(ling) had grown. I've been imagining wonderful sweet tangerines coming from it before my granddaughter who is 6 years old leaves high school.
AGGRAVATION! That's when we noticed that the leaves were rapidly being eaten.
I no longer have any impatiens because all six of the luxurious fuchsia plants I'd added to our garden were eaten down to the nub by slugs.
But could slugs climb up a tree?
We searched for signs of slugs, but couldn't find any. Soon I was picturing my tree completely bald with no hope of fruit.
Then we found the culprit.
Well... sort of. The culprit was in metamorphosis. We never noticed it before because he (or she) is the exact color of the leaves. (It's a butterfly or moth cocoon) By the afternoon, only an empty shell was there. If it was a she, I hope she lays her eggs some place else.
AGGRAVATION! That's when we noticed that the leaves were rapidly being eaten.
I no longer have any impatiens because all six of the luxurious fuchsia plants I'd added to our garden were eaten down to the nub by slugs.
But could slugs climb up a tree?
We searched for signs of slugs, but couldn't find any. Soon I was picturing my tree completely bald with no hope of fruit.
Then we found the culprit.
Well... sort of. The culprit was in metamorphosis. We never noticed it before because he (or she) is the exact color of the leaves. (It's a butterfly or moth cocoon) By the afternoon, only an empty shell was there. If it was a she, I hope she lays her eggs some place else.
pretty voracious appetite. I hope the tree will recover.
ReplyDeleteSend a photo of this culprit to Hawaii's cooperative Extension Service. They'll identify it for you and yell you how to get rid of it.
ReplyDeleteGood idea!
DeleteAh, slugs. The bane of my garden's existence. But I don't recognize this thing. Do you know what it is? I hope it does go away or you find some way to discourage its presence. :-)
ReplyDeleteI know it's some kind of moth or butterfly cocoon. I never saw the caterpillar, so I have no idea. It really ate hunks of the leaves though.
Deletegardening is such a challenge-my husband gave up on it...
ReplyDeleteHow awful!!!! I love tangerines and envy you having such a treat right in in your own back yard!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever do get tangerines, that is.
DeleteA dish of beer at the base of the plant may help. Or a sprinkle of ashes?
ReplyDeleteCan't see anything, Kay. What are we looking at?
ReplyDeleteI know how frustrating this is. One time I planted 250 impatiens and deer at them to the ground! I still garden, however. The benefits/rewards still outweigh the aggravation. Hang in there!!
I'll have to edit my post later because I think people are still not able to see it even with the arrows. That's why we missed it. It really is the exact color of the leaves. It's a butterfly or moth cocoon.
DeleteThat's pretty good camouflage. I can't even see anything on the leave. Looks like something sticky on the branch.
ReplyDeleteIt's not on the leaf. The cocoon is hanging on the branch with two silk threads. Pretty incredible when you think about it.
DeleteIs that green slimy thing the culprit, shaped like a leaf? Wow, I have never seen anything like that. But now I'll be sure to look for "invisible" creatures, at least, ones that camouflage in shape as well as in color.
ReplyDeleteWe grow only chinese spinach and ong choy in pots to augment our vegetable supply. So far these two plants seem the hardiest and almost bug resistant.
L...w
It's a cocoon. I don't know if it's a moth or a butterfly. The leaves are also being eaten and curled up by some other pest.
Deleteoh dear!
ReplyDeleteThe cocoon is really kind of cool! Maybe you created a home for a beautiful butterfly! Anyway, it's gone now - no more munching on your leaves.
ReplyDeleteIt's not over. Sigh. Art says leaves are still being eaten but he can't figure out where the caterrpillar might be.
ReplyDeleteOops, so that wasn't the culprit? Hope you can find and eliminate the baddie.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! The caterpillar was the culprit, but I think there's another one hiding somewhere.
DeleteMy slugs are eating my hops plant. sigh.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid to go away again!
Nature!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° >
wow that's some amazing camouflage, I can't really see it.
ReplyDeleteWell, we missed it completely for the longest time.
DeleteWhat nuisance. We had slugs and snails, but I use slug pellets. I wouldn't know how to deal with the insects of your garden. Such a pity to lose your beautiful plants.
ReplyDeleteBTW did you get back the luggage you lost on your holiday?
I wish you a wonderful weekend Kay!
Wil
Wow...pretty hungry little thing huh!
ReplyDeleteNature can be marvelous but not when it eats your Satsuma Tangerine tree. Fascinating photo of the cocoon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, to answer your question on the header photo. Those flowers are Roses of Sharon.
Sorry about your tree, but that camo is very clever.
ReplyDelete