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The mullein moth, Cucullia verbasci, lays its eggs on verbascum, buddleia and figwort at the end of spring. Shortly after, from late spring to midsummer, the caterpillars demolish the foliage. Bad infestations can actually strip a plant

.apples, pears, quince, walnutsspring, summerMore common garden pestsMullein moth - on verbascum, buddleja and figwort.Elephant hawk moth on fuschia plants.Caterpillars on any plants.Cabbage white caterpillars on brassicas and nasturtiums.

The large, beautiful caterpillar larvae of the elephant hawk moth has two pairs of eye markings, which are made even more prominent when it withdraws its head into its body. They are, typically, a blackish-brown colour but are sometimes green

The mature stage of certain caterpillars.

.Stick the overlapping end firmly in place. If it's not secure, tie it in position with two lengths of string above and below the band of glue.Peel off the paper covering the glue.AdamDealing with other garden pests CaterpillarsElephant hawk mothMullein mothAphids

The horse chestnut scale insect was first found in the UK in the late 1960s, having come over from southern Europe. It is now widespread and common in the south of the UK and Ireland, and is spreading northwards. Mature, adult horse chestnut scale

anythingearly spring, summerMore common garden pestsLeatherjackets on lawns, brassicas, strawberries and ornamental plantsElephant hawk moth on fuschia plantsWhitefly on greenhouse plantsMullein moth - affecting verbascum, buddleja and figworts.

The word used for the larvae of many species of moth. Usually green, brown or yellow soft-bodied caterpillars, often with stripes running their length, cutworms are voracious feeders of leaf, bud and stem and can destroy entire plants.

A grub, the larva of small flies and some moths, which tunnels into the leaves of plants. Damage to the leaves takes the form of a pattern of semi-transparent lines or pale, blistered patches.

Hang pheromone traps in fruit trees to control moth pests, such as codling moth larvae, which eat applesThin out congested fruit crops on peaches and nectarines, spacing fruits about 10cm apartWatch out for signs of powdery mildew or disease