Citrus Caterpillar | Did You Know This Instant and Epic Control Method

 Citrus Caterpillar

caterpillars (Papilio demoleus) of lemon trees, also called California orange dogs, actually are the common larva of the giant swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes Cramer). This swallowtail butterfly is also called the Orange butterfly, Lime butterfly, or lemon butterfly, and lemon swallowtail. These most common names belong to their host plants, usually citrus types such as the civilized lemon. Mostly caterpillar swallowtail butterflies, it does not have a prominent tail. 

If you have noticed something in your citrus garden eating your citrus tree leaves?. The offender is most usually the orange-dog citrus caterpillar. I saw some small citrus trees completely damaged by this little giant. The orange-dog caterpillars look like cute and beautiful birds on citrus tree leaves. Actually, they are not very cute in the younger larva (caterpillar) stage but after pupation, they become the beautiful Heraclides cresphonte, known as commonly the lemon Swallowtail butterfly.

Citrus Caterpillar Identification:

Citrus Caterpillar / Lemon butterfly

The caterpillar is yellowish-green color with a few sloping brownish strips. It has a horn-like erection on the behind side of the body. The adults are large beautiful butterflies with green-colored wings having black spots.

Citrus Caterpillar Damage:

The citrus caterpillar is found on the upper surface of leaves, benefiting from the leaf lamina from the edge to the midrib. Grown-up hatchlings feed on new and fresh leaves and cause major defoliation of the whole plant.

Citrus Caterpillar Management and Control Method

Citrus Caterpillar Biological and Organically Control:

• For biological and organically control of citrus caterpillars, use parasitic wasp virus spray.
• Use the hand-picking method for organically controlling citrus caterpillars.

The baculovirus / Parasitic wasp,  bug sprays are poisonous just to caterpillar bothers. The stomach poison cryolite is explicit to foliage-taking care of nuisances. These insect sprays are moderately nontoxic to parasites that assault the caterpillars and valuable bugs and bugs that feed on other citrus bugs. The wide range of carbamates kills a considerable lot of the helpful bugs and vermin in citrus forests.

Citrus Caterpillar Chemical Control:

Inspect the selective citrus plants in the garden, if the found citrus caterpillar attacks at a serious stage, then the chemical control method is more effective and beneficial. For chemical, control use bifenthrin spry 250 ml/acre or other recommended and approved sprays.

Read More: Citrus Swallowtail Caterpillar