I get several varieties too. Last summer I spent several months collecting and killing rose slugs and budworms. Have no idea which are which, I have ones dark green, sage green color and a tomato green. At least the pics I sent Baldo were ID'd as budworms. Had a big problem in CA last year, LA area down south and in the north. Mine definetly ate the buds, I could handle leaf damage, but I started going out twice a day collecting the caterpillars and feeding them to the toads. I put out houses for them and throw the worm down on the ground by their pot and knock on the top to get their attention. My SIL was very amused by this. I found it more satisfying that squishing them:) If I hunt I might be able to come up with a better pic. I don't have any mature trees, mine are all only a couple years old. The neighbors don't have any trees at all yet. So, I think I can definitely rule out the cankerworm. If some of them are hover fly larvae, I can't tell the difference and I'm not going to give them a chance to eat the buds and disappear.

helenh Sorry, my post above wasn't clear -- it's the armyworms that burrow in thatch, etc., not the nematodes. This site has this to say about how how two nematodes "infect" armyworms and other pests: Ambushers such as Steinernema carpocapsae and S. scapterisci have adapted "sit and wait" strategy to attack highly mobile insects (billbugs, sod webworms, cutworms, mole-crickets and armyworms) when they come in contact at the surface of the soil. These nematodes do not respond to host released cues but infective juveniles of some Steinernema spp can stand on their tails (nictate) and easily infect passing insect hosts by jumping on them. Since highly mobile insects live in the upper soil or thatch layer, ambushers are generally effective in infecting more insects on the surface than deep in the soil. Arbico Organics sells them, as do some other online sources. Here's what they say: Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic, non-segmented worms that occur naturally in soil throughout the world. Once released, the nematodes seek out their host, enter through body openings, emit a toxin and death occurs within 48 hours. Beneficial Nematodes are shipped in an easily dissolved clay formulation that you mix with water. The solution can be applied directly using a watering can, hose end, backpack, or pump sprayer or through irrigation or misting systems. Release early in the morning or predusk when temperatures are cooler and the sun is not so bright. Just something to keep in mind if you have a bad infestation of armyworms -- the nematodes are very expensive, though you might share the cost with 2 or 3 other people with the same problem since one treatment is said to cover 3,200 square feet. I doubt the live nematodes keep a long time in the clay suspension. If it's only a few, you can handpick them.

Sorry don't know wth that is I'm guessing look in the worm or caterpillar guide online give more pics so I can have a better look at it thx and hope u or I can figure what this thing is

I've managed to ID the pest - It's the larvae of the three lined potato beetle. Lynda