Our gardener came yesterday. We were shocked to discover most of
the Solomon’s seals had been stripped bare. The lush green leaves had clearly
been chewed away.
We soon located the
culprits. There was an epidemic of mauve/grey caterpillars with black ends. We
checked the other patch of Solomon’s seals. The same, though not so badly
decimated so far.
She looked at other nearby plants. No signs of any caterpillars
on them. They seem to just devour polygonatums (Solomon’s seals). Neither of us
have ever seen caterpillars like these.
Usually the caterpillars found in our gardens are green/yellow
or hairy brown. Nonetheless the gardener despatched those on the plants. Since
then I’ve checked whenever I’ve been out. And found yet more though the
numbers are decreasing.
We’re just hoping we’re not eliminating a whole generation of
rare butterflies. However, our plants need help to survive this onslaught so we’re
giving it. This is war!
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