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Post by librarylady on Sept 17, 2020 14:22:06 GMT
![]() The penta is a host plant for the sphinx moth. (I had no idea!)
Our plant was covered with horn worms (shudder) before we knew it . We have plucked 41 of those nasty worms off the plant in 2 days. I loved how the penta blooms and blooms all summer in the Texas heat, but this changes my plans for mass plantings. Our daily ritual now includes examining the plant for worms.
If you have never seen a penta, here is photo of the colors it might have. We have a red one on our deck and a pink one in the front. So far the pink one has no problem with the horn worms.
We don't use any chemicals (insect killers) as we have a garden specifically to attract butterflies.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,003
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Sept 17, 2020 14:26:51 GMT
just reading the name 'horn worms' is absolutley making my entire skin crawl. <shudder> there is not a nastier looking beast in the garden. I'd rather deal with spiders any day. Any day over those hideous creatures..ahhhhh!
I've never seen them on my pentas though, I'll have to beware to keep an eye out!
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Post by Lexica on Sept 17, 2020 15:22:48 GMT
This post really took me back to my childhood. A neighbor had a plant all along their wall in the back yard that had hornworms. I don't remember the plant at all, I just remember the hornworms. He used to invite the neighborhood kids in to find and pick them off. He paid us a penny apiece for them! That was my first official paying job!
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Sept 17, 2020 15:58:56 GMT
How can you guys hate hornworms?  Ok, I mean, they're destructive, but I love them. They are so juicy and green. I can watch them for hours. We have *hatched* a few hawk moths. They are so huge and fuzzy, I love them. |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Sept 17, 2020 16:50:36 GMT
How can you guys hate hornworms?  Ok, I mean, they're destructive, but I love them. They are so juicy and green. I can watch them for hours. We have *hatched* a few hawk moths. They are so huge and fuzzy, I love them. Do we call these inch worms? |
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Sept 17, 2020 16:55:39 GMT
How can you guys hate hornworms? Ok, I mean, they're destructive, but I love them. They are so juicy and green. I can watch them for hours. We have *hatched* a few hawk moths. They are so huge and fuzzy, I love them. Do we call these inch worms? No, I feel like most people call them tomato worms around here? They are really big and a light / bright green. I would post a picture, but now I feel people won't want to see them! |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Sept 17, 2020 17:27:41 GMT
Do we call these inch worms? No, I feel like most people call them tomato worms around here? They are really big and a light / bright green. I would post a picture, but now I feel people won't want to see them! I saw one last year I think. This years has been very good. Something ate our cherry tree but that is strata and not on us. |
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Post by lauradrumm on Sept 17, 2020 19:22:47 GMT
They attract butterflies!
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Post by Mel on Sept 17, 2020 20:35:39 GMT
My Bearded dragon LOVES hornworms!!  |
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Post by sleuthgirl on Sept 17, 2020 23:08:34 GMT
I plant them to try and get the caterpillars!!  They are so cool. We also plant tomato plants for a different moth. I love butterflies and moths. I’d be the crazy person coming to your house to get them if you lived close. lol |
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,389 
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Post by peaname on Sept 18, 2020 1:20:42 GMT
I used to be so freaked out by hornworms I would make my DH get them. Then one day I spotted one eating my tomato plant in the morning and eight hours later when he came home the plant was decimated. I’ve had to buck up and get them myself if he’s not around. I can’t imagine 41!!!!
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Post by librarylady on Sept 18, 2020 1:56:48 GMT
What is "amusing" is that my DH does not want to touch them. I have to do the job. yuck!
These are more ugly than the tomato horn worms. ....vile creatures!!
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They are so cool. We also plant tomato plants for a different moth. I love butterflies and moths. I’d be the crazy person coming to your house to get them if you lived close. lol