Just a few days ago, I was admiring how well our caladiums were doing. This particular plant was just starting to get nice and lush, and I was thrilled because I love the striking colours of the leaves and stems.

Before - beautiful, vibrant leaves.

And then today… I found only half the number of leaves, and this:

Now - the plant equivalent of a pile of scavenged bones.

The culprit?

Guilty as charged - the Hawk Moth larvae.

This brilliant lime green caterpillar from the Hawk Moth, I believe – beautiful, but not welcome any more. It’s a common pest to our caladiums and it’s relatives have wiped out several caladium plants in the past. This one was removed from it’s feast and moved far, far away.

We are not pleased.

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