Something is eating my orange tree leaves

[mannymendez25]

I planted an orange tree and I have noticed that my leaves are being eaten. I see some sort of animal on the leaves but I have no idea what it is. Here is a picture. Anyone know what this is and how to get rid of them?

 

[cpp gardener]

Those are the caterpillars of the Giant Swallowtail butterfly. The damage is cosmetic and not dangerous to the plant, but if you just can’t stand it you can use a Bt-containing product like Dipel. It is a naturally occurring bacterial disease of caterpillars that is completely harmless to everything else.

 

[MiniOrchardDude]

Another product would be Southern AG Thuricide.

MOD

 

[mannymendez25]

Awesome, I will give that a try thank you.

 

[oneeye]

Awesome, I will give that a try thank you.

Is that tree in the ground or in a pot?

 

[Tetters]

@mannymendez25 Your plant will mend. Why not allow these creatures to live. I would love to see swallowtails flying in my garden - they only do good!

 

[oneeye]

I agree with Tetters let them live or pick them off with your fingers and move them to other plants to dine on.

 

[mannymendez25]

It is in the ground. I typically flick them off with my finger.

 

[MiniOrchardDude]

I agree with Tetters let them live or pick them off with your fingers and move them to other plants to dine on.

Its all good until you get an uncontrollable infestation. I used to be nice but I work hard all spring, summer and fall to have insects and animal destroy my hard work. Not to mention diseases and bad weather. I just dont take any chances anymore.

Just my experience.

MOD

 

[Tetters]

This beautiful creature is the largest butterfly in North America. It needs to eat a leaf or two at this stage of its fleeting existence. The tree will grow new leaves. It is nature at its best.

 

[cpp gardener]

If it is a small young tree them removing some will help the tree a little. As the tree grows, the need to eliminate them all will lessen to the point that it doesn’t matter if you leave them all. I have had several large citrus trees in the places I’ve rented and never needed to spray for Swallowtails. The little nibbles were lost among the masses of leaves. The flight/hovering of the butterflies is fun to watch. Amazing how fluttery such a big butterfly can be.

 

[Consistency]

Do the caterpillars encourage/stimulate plant growth by eating the leaves?

 

[pepper]

View attachment 98625 This beautiful creature is the largest butterfly in North America. It needs to eat a leaf or two at this stage of its fleeting existence. The tree will grow new leaves. It is nature at its best.

I would gladly sacrifice a few leaves to have those fluttering around helping to pollinate my plants.

 

[pepper]

Its all good until you get an uncontrollable infestation. I used to be nice but I work hard all spring, summer and fall to have insects and animal destroy my hard work. Not to mention diseases and bad weather. I just dont take any chances anymore.

Just my experience.

MOD

I get what you are saying and what I am about to say isn't aimed at you, it's just my opinion of mankind. Mother nature never needed us, the world was perfect before we slithered out long after the primordial sludge. We can't seem to not try to control mother nature and the more we try the more we screw everything natural and make it much worse. I am not saying if there is a slug infestation or something we should sit back and do nothing, using natural ways to help control them is needed. But something that is on a threatened species list like the swallowtail is something that should be left to be. If someone can afford to garden they can afford to make small sacrifices even if it means the loss of a plant. There are grocery stores if god forbid a plant should die and another one needs to be replanted to take its place. I doubt any of us are on the brink of starvation.