Parsley-munching caterpillars are future butterflies
Squash bugs are an almost unavoidable part of growing zucchini
Q: I have black, white and yellow striped caterpillars eating my parsley. What is it? Also, my zucchini plants are fruiting, just the fruit seems to stop growing when they are about 4 inches long Why? They are infested with insects that are about an inch long. How do I get rid of the bugs and keep them away? — M.J., Albuquerque
A: I googled black, white and yellow striped caterpillars and the first one that popped up for me was a monarch butterfly caterpillar. But then I’m not an entomologist and don’t have a picture of your creatures, so, I’m going to suggest you sacrifice this planting of parsley to the caterpillars and start fresh several weeks from now.
You could capture one of your caterpillars in a glass jar with holes in the lid so the wee thing could breathe and aim to get it identified. Perhaps call your County Agriculture Agent (Cooperative Extension Service) and see if they have anyone on staff that could identify the caterpillar. You might try taking the critter to a nursery, not a big box store, and see if anyone there could help you figure out what type of caterpillar you have. Consider contacting the Albuquerque Garden Center to talk with someone that could guide you to a good identification of your caterpillars.
The reason … caterpillars morph into either butterflies or moths and since they are much needed pollinators, like I suggested sacrifice this parsley planting to them, allow them to morph into whatever they’ll become and be glad you didn’t eliminate them. Butterflies are having a hard way to go nowadays, and I’ll ask you to let them be, especially if you’re blessed with monarchs.
Yearly I get the inevitable query about having too many caterpillars show up in a “newly planted butterfly garden and want to eliminate them.” … Truly? Where do some think butterflies come from? Pardon me, sometimes I get a wee bit crazy!
Next the bugs and size of your zucchini. The most often reported pest on zucchini is a “squash bug.” The bodies are shaped a bit like a shield, and they are usually a paleish green color, and have long spindly jointed legs.
The only sure way to get rid of the squash bug is, and I don’t want to sound flip, is to not plant squash. I was told once that if you waited until mid to late July to plant squash (zucchini) you’d have far fewer squash bugs to deal with.
There are dust pesticides you can apply and I’m going to suggest strongly that you go to a true nursery and discuss options with a pro before applying a pesticide.
You can pluck the offending bugs, throwing them into a ¼ filled coffee can and drown them. Next you’ll want to visually inspect each leaf, mainly on the underside to seek out any clusters of small orange eggs. Cut off that leaf and dispose of it, aiming to eliminate the next generation of squash bugs that will infest your zucchini.
If you choose to plant again you can create a tent of fabric called a “floating row cover” that will keep the bugs from moving into your planting in the first place. You will need to help with pollination by shaking the plants once they come into flower, but to have pest-free zucchini you’ll do what is necessary, huh?
Now this coming dormant season you should get your garden as tidy as possible so there isn’t a place for the bugs to over-winter. All the dead and leaf litter has to be removed and get in the habit of turning the soil during the winter to expose pests and eggs to the maiming winter weather.
As for the size of your fruit, a couple of things come to mind. First, did you plant a different variety and the “zukes” are made to be that size? Two, remember “fruit” is water so you might consider bumping up the amount you water. Not more often, mind you, just longer when you do. Perhaps it’s the temperature, too. It was unusually cool just a few weeks ago and now it’s blistering hot!
I’d suggest harvest your crop of zukes as they come available and be patient for the next round. Happy Diggin’ In!