The MGS Forum

Gardening in mediterranean climates => Pests and diseases => Topic started by: pamela on September 01, 2011, 08:14:57 AM

Title: caterpillars having a fine time in bulb stems
Post by: pamela on September 01, 2011, 08:14:57 AM

My first Urginea maritima appeared last week, just starting to shoot up, unopened. I noticed today that the flower head had flopped over and on inspection I saw that an insect had eaten into the stem just below the flower.  I stripped open the stem and found at least a dozen tiny (less than .5mm)  white and brown striped caterpillars running up and down the stem.  I was so disappointed. I am wondering if this a problem for all bulbs or just Urginea.  Has anyone seen this before and if so how can I prevent further catastrophes!

Title: Re: caterpillars having a fine time in bulb stems
Post by: MikeHardman on September 26, 2011, 09:31:47 PM

Urginea maritima flowering well here in Cyprus now.

Title: Re: caterpillars having a fine time in bulb stems
Post by: ezeiza on September 26, 2011, 09:37:36 PM

You seem to be describing the amaryllis caterpillar. Too disturbing to think that it can also attack other bulbs.