arghhh... Darn Worm!!

[NiNiDazzle]

My poor den. I got the sucker though.

[psyc1210]

What did the worm look like, or was it a caterpillar?

[retroresale]

That was a "Very Hungry Caterpillar".

[NiNiDazzle]

I didn't know there was a difference. I would say it was a caterpillar. I have no idea what it is. But it also got some of my potatoes and mint.

[Liberty White]

Must have been a really tasty Den.

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by NiNiDazzle

I didn't know there was a difference. I would say it was a caterpillar. I have no idea what it is. But it also got some of my potatoes and mint.

How big was it?

[NiNiDazzle]

Originally Posted by psyc1210

How big was it?

I guess I should clarify. It's siblings also got my potatoes and mint. The one I found on my den was about a centimeter.

[katrina]

Yep...caterpillars LOVE orchids. I've had 3 flowers and several leaves munched on so far this Spring/Summer.

If it's not the caterpillars and grasshoppers eating them...it's the birds and squirrels stealing sphag and breaking growths.

Thank goodness the rabbits haven't shown an interest in orchids. (Knocks on wood)

[orchids4me]

If you find another take a pic of it and post it psyc1210 may just know what you got there. And I'm very curious as well

[digitalgate]

look like job of a Carpenter bee

[Greybeard]

Bugs, they keep us on our toes I know you need to hire vanda_obsessions anole Not much we can do, stay vigilant and when it gets bad pull out the shotguns Hope you got him

[NiNiDazzle]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

If you find another take a pic of it and post it psyc1210 may just know what you got there. And I'm very curious as well

I don't know if there are any more from this batch since I tend to take a heavy hand at ridding my small garden from caterpillars and bugs. I was following a couple of the caterpillar threads on orchid geeks but every time I looked at the photos, it would give me the willies and creep me out. I had to unsubscribe from those particular threads.

[NiNiDazzle]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

look like job of a Carpenter bee

I will have to look these up. I've never heard of them. I'm pretty sure it was a caterpillar that ate this den. I killed him.

[terra_australis]

I'd say that Den got off lightly! Usually caterpillars will take a preference to juicy new shoots. Snails too. Actually, I found a really good way to keep snails off my terrestrials... grow some Dendrobiums with them!!!

[Greybeard]

Originally Posted by terra_australis

I'd say that Den got off lightly! Usually caterpillars will take a preference to juicy new shoots. Snails too. Actually, I found a really good way to keep snails off my terrestrials... grow some Dendrobiums with them!!!

Ah, a natural repellent, would it work with slugs So far I have not had a pest problem, knock on my head....er wood

[terra_australis]

Originally Posted by Greybeard

Ah, a natural repellent, would it work with slugs So far I have not had a pest problem, knock on my head....er wood

I don't think repellent is the correct term... let's call them... a distraction.

I've never had much of a problem with slugs on my orchids but then I think we have some predatory slugs and snails here which probably keep the other species in check. Also, my shadehouse is away from their hidey holes so they have to do a bit of travelling to get there. I usually only have a problem when there's rain.