Caterpillars.
Caterpillars are larvae insects more known when they change(metamorphosis) into Butterflies or moths. There are many different types of caterpillar, most common are the Inchworm,Loopers and Spanworm.
Here's a one, they all look different but usually camouflage into their surroundings.
Caterpillars are horrible little shits and you are more susceptible when growing outdoors, its not impossible to have an attack indoors though so don't think your safe.
Caterpillars will munch everything, leaves,stems, buds the lot. If an attack commences during flower, the dreaded bud rot follows munched buds.
Here's some affected plants,
Caterpillars or signs of a caterpillar are usually found high up on a plant, either munched leaves like the pics above or small brown balls/piles of caterpillar poo.
You could find these piles/balls on leaves on even on the surface of the medium.
If you should find you have a caterpillar/caterpillars you must inspect the plant from top to bottom, they are very hard to find. You also need to inspect the leaves all over the plant for butterfly eggs/larvae. These areas need treating with repellent.
Treatment.
Pyrethrum 5 Ec is an organic insecticide that kills of many insects, including caterpillars.
During vegetative stage you can drench the plant with a spray bottle covering the whole plant including the undersides of the leaves. Use the recommended dosage on the pack, its perfectly safe.
During the flowering stage (after around 2 weeks in to true flower) you shouldn't spray any liquids on the buds as this may cause bud root and ruin your whole harvest.
The best way to treat at this stage is to make up the recommended amount on the pack and using a small paint brush, cover all the leaves as best you can.
Try to get both sides of the leaves and not to get the buds. If you do get the buds dry gently with tissue paper as soon as possible.
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