Caterpillar???

14 years ago

Help. While looking over plants today, I noticed all but two leaves on my Crown of Thorns were gone. I took to the sink, after discovering the soil was really dry.

That's when I noticed this creature, um, Caterpillar?

Can anyone ID this insect? One thing, it's a plant eater..That Crown was packed with leaves.

If it was a spider, this post wouldn't be here, but because it might be a caterpillar/butterfly, I don't know how to save it..Does anyone know how I can keep this guy alive w/o eating my plants up? Thanks, Toni

Here are pics of my Crown after it had dinner, and the caterpillar..

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Comments (5)

wondernugget
14 years ago
I am no expert, but every caterpillar I've seen has been very fuzzy. Other than that it looks like a nude caterpillar to me.
I do know that if I found this guy rummaging about in my plants there would've been a lot of squirming on my end before I attempted to remove it. I sure hope that is a very small stick because that little beast looks huge! And creepy.
gardenbear1
14 years ago
its a caterpillar and the little snot is going to make a dinner of your plant, get rid of him and fast then check for more eggs or little one, I would even repot your Crown of Thorns in clean potting mix and new pot just to make sure there no one hiding I have to fight with them all the time when my epies are out in the shade house, they can and will eat a plant down to bare stock in no time, if you really want to keep it I would cut off the part of the plant it on and put it in some thing it can't get out of.
the things we have to do to save our plants but if it means killing it to keep it from eatting your plants the thats up to you

Bear
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norma_2006
14 years ago
Caterpillar? Larve perhaps. Toss it out side.
Spiders they will leave you alone if you don't bother them. They only want to eat the insects Mealys on your plants. They are the good guys, ants are the bad guys. Norma
birdsnblooms
Original Author
14 years ago
Wonder, Garden, and Norma..Thanks for your replies..lol
You guys had me LOL'ing away..If the pillar was going to turn into a moth, it'd had been out on it's slinky butt that night, but it's going to be a non-native butterfly, so I feel bad tossing it outside in freezing temps. It's been 40's during the day, 20's at night.
I am very upset about my, once beautiful, Crown of Thorns, and you guys are right, if it had/s babies or friends, that'd be the end of my plants. I'm not sure that particular Crown will make it..One of my fav succulents.

Does anyone know if caterpillars are egg layers? It's living in the sink, surrounded by leaves and grass. Plus I've been misting leaves for moisture.
My dh, (nut) suggested placing it in the gh..If I had a gun...lol..j/k..
We can't find information, especially about someone who lives in the midwest, keeping a caterpillar, indoors..lol.
I found a site that displayed 600+ caterpillar pics, but none fit the bill. I discovered, the standard caterpillar is 1-2" long..this guy is nearing 4"..A 4" pillar is called a King.
Some pillars have stingers, unlike a bee, wasp, etc..I can't recall which part of their body contains venom for protection..when someone or something brushes/touches them, the venom is absorbed through pores..it can cause mild irritation to extreme, some ppl have to seek medical attention..3 ppl picked/touched him/her, without harm, excluding myself..I lifted him w/a stick..lol.

To top that off, yesterday, my dogs were in the yard. The smaller dog was licking something..I thought he took one of his stuffed animals outside..I approached, found he was licking a baby possum..the rodent was about 8", no mom or dad nearby..I hurriedly lifted my dog, brought in the house, and washed his mouth..Though we're not possum lovers, we felt sorry for this little guy..Later in the night, he was standing before the glass doors looking inside..it was strange!!! He/she wanted in..out of the cold, and dinner..of course we didn't adopt him, too..I hope he finds his mother.

What next??? An elephant? lol

Norma, I know how you feel about spiders, and respect your 'courage,' lol, but I'm arachnophobic..as for mealy, it's a matter of working with plants, cleaning areas and plants, inspection, etc..
Even seeing the tiniest spider, I'm a slam-dunking, Michael Jordon..lolol, running for dear life, w/o the pay.

But seriously, does anyone have any idea where or how to keep the pillar? I don't want him eating my plants, but will spare leaves. Mainly foliage from large Pothos and cleaned outdoor grass. I cannot believe he ate leaves from a Euphorbia, a toxic plant, yet alive and well.. So far.
Thanks for everyone's help..Toni
joscience
14 years ago
Put you Euphorbia milii (Crown of Thorns) somewhere warm right away. Don't give it another drop of water until you see new leaves coming out of the defoliated. Seriously, keep it dry until you are sure there is new growth on the eaten stems. These plants often go dormant in cold weather or when stressed. It may take a few months, but this species in particular will certainly come back.