Blueberries – Caterpillars

Q: Some large, fuzzy, black caterpillars with yellow stripes are devouring the leaves of my blueberries. Should steps be taken to eliminate them?

A: You are seeing yellow neck caterpillars. Notice how they lift their front and hind quarters to form the letter “C” when disturbed. They can be voracious on blueberries at this time of year but plants are rarely killed. Spray the critters with Green Light Spinosad or any caterpillar control product containing ^Bacillus thuringiensis^.