bush as toughened , colorful and deadly as James Bond are rarefied , butevergreen oleanders(Nerium oleander ) make the list . The Mediterranean and Asian natives have adapted to atmospheric condition in some percentage ofU.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones8 through 10 well enough to crowd out aboriginal plants . They also contain sap so deathly that eating just one foliage may be lethal . Oleanders ' superhero strengths , however , ca n’t dissuade their every bit tough and colorful foes : Oleander caterpillars ( Syntomeida epilais Walker ) dine on the shrub at will . Killing them requires persistence and timing .
The Gaudy Gluttons
In one month , oleander caterpillars eat their way from 1/10 to 1 1/4 column inch in length , a nearly 13 - fold increase . As newly hatched caterpillars , they feed in colonies on the spine of the leaf .
After their third molt , the colonies disperse and each caterpillar moves over the flora , eating entire leaves as it goes . At this phase , their black - bristle , bright - orange bodies are distinctly seeable . The pests exuviate three more sentence over the next three weeks , and impenetrable infestations may defoliate an oleander .
Fully grown oleander caterpillars leave their hostsand pupate in mathematical group ofbrown cocoons protect in black silken webs .
Meet the Moths
The insects responsible for oleander caterpillar infestationsare polka - dot wasp moth . The iridescent , blue - black moths lay clusters of creamy - blank to abstemious - chicken eggs on the backs of their horde plant ’s farewell in bound .
By flying during the day , polka - dit wasp moth break with normal moth demeanour . They ’re now found wherever oleanders grow outside of California . While the shrubs stay their most common cat host , the moths also lay eggs on other toxic dogbane .
These includemilkweeds(Asclepias spp . ) — perennial in USDA zones 3 through 10 , depend on miscellanea — desert rosiness ( Adenium obesum ) , hardy in USDA zones 10 through 12 , anddevil’s - potato vine(Echites umbellatus ) , which arise only in southeastern Florida ’s USDA zones 9 through 10 .
Early Elimination
Killing oleander caterpillars is easiestwhen they ’re still course in groups . On small oleanders , snip off the infested leaves with unclouded , sharp pruning shears and drop them in a sealable plastic bag . After freezing the bag for 24 60 minutes , put it in the methamphetamine . Protect yourself from the skin - irritating sapwith waterproof boxing glove , long pants and a long - sleeved shirt . To quash disperse disease , wipe the pruner blades down with a material dipped in rub alcohol between cuts . Kill mature Caterpillar by handpickingand dropping them in soapy water .
Battle Back With Bugs
diminutive predatory white Anglo-Saxon Protestant and tachinid fliesboth lay their ballock on oleander caterpillars , and their larvae devour the pestilence from the inside out . To lure them to your oleander bushes , flora parsley ( Apiaceae ) household plant nearby .
The grownup fly and wasps come to feed on the plants ' ambrosia or pollen and stay to posit their eggs . Suitable perennials includeyarrow(Achillea millefolium ) andfennel(Foeniculum vulgare ) , hardy in USDA zone 3 through 9 and 4 through 9 , respectively .
Microbial Magic
quick - to - use Bacillus thuringiensis var . kurstaki spray kills early - phase Nerium oleander caterpillarswith blood - poison bug . supervise the plants day by day for eggs on the binding of the leaves , and spray when the last of them has incubate . Use the Bt when no sun is hitting the flora . Spray until it drips from both sides of the leaves , and repeat after rain or every five to seven Day as long as you see active caterpillars . Dress in protective clothing , safety machine goggles and a respiratory masquerade party , and follow the label ’s education when using the Bt .
