Oleander Hawk Moth Caterpillars

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rtk

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Oleander Hawk Moth Caterpillars
« on: September 24, 2014, 12:58:43 PM »
We seem to have a significant number of Oleander Hawk Moth Caterpillars this September in our garden on Milos Island Greece. The caterpillars particularly like the leaves on the oleanders with red flowers for some reason. Some branches have been stripped of many leaves. I should be grateful for any opinions as to whether I should try to control these caterpillars or let 'nature take its course'.

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Alisdair

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Re: Oleander Hawk Moth Caterpillars
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2014, 09:07:45 AM »
I'd be tempted not to worry too much about the caterpillars. You are well within the moth's natural range, where it's had many thousands of years to reach a natural balance with the overall environment - and it is a very striking creature, well worth having around!
Alisdair Aird
Gardens in SE England (Sussex); also coastal Southern Greece, and (in a very small way) South West France; MGS member (and former president); vice chairman RHS Lily Group, past chairman Cyclamen Society