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. They then hide in the soil to pupate.
Symptoms
Caterpillars eat holes in the leaves of verbascums, buddleia and figwort. In severe cases, the plant’s leaves are completely decimated.
Find it on
verbascum, buddleia, figworts
Organic
The bright yellow and black caterpillars are easy to spot as they crawl across the leaves, and can be picked off by hand.
Chemical
The moment you spot an infestation, spray them with pyrethrum. If the plants are in flower, spray in the evening, so pollinating insects aren’t affected.
