Help me identify this caterpillar

dvshaw

We have a bunch of (what seem to be) caterpillars that are eating the leaves of our crookneck squash plants, nothing else in our garden. I'm against pesticides, so I'd like to identify what they are to see if there is some type of natural deterrent we could use.

I don't have a pic with me now, but they're bright yellow, like the color of squash, entirely fuzzy, and with longer sporadic black hairs. Anyone have any idea what these could be? I'll try to post a picture later. 

2bKEdwards

Could it be a squash vine borer? I'm not sure what color they are though.

littlemissflip

Is it this? http://rurality.blogspot.com/2005/09/yellow-fuzzy-caterpillar.html

leighzlou

That doesn't fit the description of a squash vine borer (fvcking little devils). A picture would be the best way to get a positive ID.

dvshaw

littlemissflip:

Is it this? http://rurality.blogspot.com/2005/09/yellow-fuzzy-caterpillar.html

YES! Exactly! Now, how the heck do I get rid of them? 

littlemissflip

Do you have a local extension service that could maybe provide you with effective control methods? If you're in Atlanta, maybe the Pest Management folks at the University of Georgia can help you out: http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/anr/

(I use the Minnesota equivalent for my garden pest inquiries.)

Those caterpillars look awfully cute in the photos... but they'd be less cute if they were eating my garden

dvshaw

littlemissflip:

Do you have a local extension service that could maybe provide you with effective control methods? If you're in Atlanta, maybe the Pest Management folks at the University of Georgia can help you out: http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/anr/

(I use the Minnesota equivalent for my garden pest inquiries.)

Those caterpillars look awfully cute in the photos... but they'd be less cute if they were eating my garden

Thanks! I'll check it out. Yes, they're very cute, but they're ALL over the place!