Anyone have any idea what this could be on my Gardenia tree leaves?

[tinpanalley]

What kind of pest does this to Gardenia tree leaves? The only thing we've seen is regular nighttime moths. Soil and everything else looks clean.

 

[oneeye]

You will have to catch the caterpillar and pull it off my hand. Look closely she's there somewhere and will stay until metamorphosis can fly off. They are very difficult to see but you can find her if you look and take your time looking. Good luck.

 

[cpp gardener]

Try it in the evening when they're most active.

 

[mkmiraglia]

What kind of pest does this to Gardenia tree leaves? The only thing we've seen is regular nighttime moths. Soil and everything else looks clean.

View attachment 98914

This would appear to be some kind of caterpillar. They eat until it's time to change into a moth or butterfly, then they stop.

 

[mkmiraglia]

It's definitely a caterpillar.