I found these critters on my Dill plant this morning. They blended in with the plant seamlessly. Note, the above picture does not do this eating machine justice. He (or she) is bright yellow and green. Very vivid.
What the dark green spot on my hand? Yes, that is poop from the worm. He pooped while I was holding him.
So, what happened with them? I threw them in the bushes far, far away from my dill. Note, the dill is right by my cabbage plant as a companion plant to deter cabbage loppers. (BTW, the cabbage loopers were not dissuaded at all and ate some of my cabbage plant.)
These little buggers ate a lot of my dill plant. Help. What are these?
knutty knitter says
Those look really cute but I have no idea what they are. Perhaps you should let one or two hatch. Thats fun for the kids too. At the moment I have a cabbage white chrysalis on the back of my door and I left it there just for them to see. I have no idea if it will hatch but it is interesting.
viv in nz
jason says
I have had one of these guys munch at my herb garden….
They are the caterpillar from the black swallowtail butterfly.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/28632
.-= jason´s last blog ..How to evaluate CleanTech investment opportunities =-.
Debbie says
Yes, those are indeed the caterpillars of the black swallowtail butterfly. Also known as parsley worms, these larvae feed on plants in the dill/carrot family, including also parsley, fennel, and even Queen Anne’s lace. You can read more about black swallowtails here: http://insects.about.com/od/bu.....yxenes.htm.
In my own garden, I’ve planted some dill and parsley in a butterfly area. When I find the caterpillars in my veggie/herb garden munching on the plants I want to harvest, I just collect them and move them to the host plants in the butterfly garden instead. That way, I still get to watch the caterpillars molt and pupate, and eventually become beautiful butterflies, without giving up my entire crop in the garden.
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Bug of the Week – August 26, 2009 =-.
Green Talk says
Thanks, Debbie. I found another one on the carrots! Anna
Hyla says
If you want to deter them and other land locked insects, trying spreading used coffe grounds around the base of the plants. I know that slugs will not cross the grounds.
Green Talk says
Hyla, good idea. I will try this next time since most the time I put the coffee in my composter. Worms love it.
Michelle says
I know this was posted ages ago, but in case someone reads this…How would this work? The butterfly lays eggs on the plant and the eggs hatch and – as long is the plant is big enough to sustain them – the caterpillars stay on the plant until big enough to leave and pupate. At least that’s my experience. So wouldn’t coffee grounds just trap them within the confines of the original plant?
CJStewart says
Swallowtails are beautiful butterflies. We plant dill and rue specifically for them each year.
FED UP WITH THESE WORMS says
this is the first year i have ever encountered these pests. the worms are small but can they ever eat/destroy a dill plant. also, they stink. found a way to get rid of the stink – wear good garden gloves, then put them in a smmall can of gasoline. looks like they will wipe out this years dill
Michelle says
I know this was posted a long time ago but…plant some rue. It grows nice and full and provides lots of food for the caterpillars. If you find them on your dill, just put them on the rue. They are not pests. The butterflies are good pollinators and are an important part of the ecosystem. It seems pretty mean to dump the caterpillars into gasoline. And how do you then dispose of the gasoline? Do you take it to a hazardous waste depot? Do you put the dead caterpillars on the ground where birds could eat them and the traces of gasoline they contain? At least have the courage to just step on the caterpillars instead.
Valerie says
They only stink if threatened. It is their defense system- trying to smell like they won’t taste good. These are amazing creatures.
Anna@Green Talk says
Valerie, found a ton of them this year on both my dill and fennel. They are beautiful. What does the butterfly look like? Anna
Cindy Lu says
They are a beautiful dark purple/black butterfly with blue spots on their wings.
Valerie says
The picture in my avatar is a Black Swallowtail.
Here is a link for you to tell you all about them. I also raise them. http://www.joyfulbutterfly.com.....doors.html
The dill and parsley and fennel will grow back. They eat it in such a way as to not harm the plant and it does grow back.
Cindy Lu says
Good grief! I love black swallowtail butterflies! If I would’ve known that’s what these worms were that were devouring ALL my dill for my pickle making, I wouldn’t have had my husband kill them all!! He did say they stunk when he ripped them in half to kill them. Now I feel horrid.
Anna@Green Talk says
Cindy Lu, I found one the other day on my fennel! Anna
Valerie says
They will lay eggs all summer long so you will still find more if you have any of the following plants: Parsley, dill, fennel, queen anne’s lace, carrots, asparagus and any other plants in the parsley family.
If you plant their favorite flowers (http://www.joyfulbutterfly.com.....eseat.html (scroll down to the bottom for the list) they will come as adults to feed in your yard too. They are majestic and beautiful. I just plant extra to feed the babies. Their fall batch will overwinter and emerge in May. I bring them in and store them in the garage, protected from spiders and other predators for the winter.
Denise says
I have the beautiful worm on my dill. I thought probably it was a butterfly in progress, so I just went out and picked most of the dill. I needed the dill for a seafood pate I am making. It has now moved to the parsley. I have plenty of parsley to share.