My Periwinkles had been ever-beautiful, ever-flowering and ever-happy for as long as I could remember.
It never failed to be the first of all my plants to happily greet and cheer me up every time I stepped into My Small Backyard Garden.
It never failed to be the first of all my plants to happily greet and cheer me up every time I stepped into My Small Backyard Garden.
But not until sometime last week. When I had the " shock " of my life to be greeted by two " crying skeletons " instead.
Poor me! All I could hear were sounds of pain, " Ouch, Ouch, Ouchhh ...... and Ouchhhh! " blurting out from my very mouth as I tried to figure out what had happened!
There were lots of round, dark green, small bead-sized thing everywhere around the pot of " skeletons". But I had no idea at all what creature that could be, that was capable of gobbling up and turning all my Periwinkle leaves and flowers into something like that, almost overnight!
The silliness in me, had me imagined that pregnant, wild cat, which I had chased away days before for fear she would give birth to and raise her kitties at My Small Backyard Garden, coming back and destroyed them out of revenge.
There were lots of round, dark green, small bead-sized thing everywhere around the pot of " skeletons". But I had no idea at all what creature that could be, that was capable of gobbling up and turning all my Periwinkle leaves and flowers into something like that, almost overnight!
The silliness in me, had me imagined that pregnant, wild cat, which I had chased away days before for fear she would give birth to and raise her kitties at My Small Backyard Garden, coming back and destroyed them out of revenge.
Silly indeed! As when I later stopped by to admire and smell one of my sweet-scented Jasmine ( Jasminum sambac ) blooms , ....
.... my eyes suddenly happened to dart on this green, green guy ( a caterpillar ) with monstrous eyes clinging onto a stem not too far off!
Immediately, I suspected it to be the culprit of the whole disaster. How right I was! Some googling later that day confirmed my suspicion!
I did feel like throwing it far, far away. To an infinity place, if possible. But no. I could not. My garden was supposed to be a wildlife ( pests included )-friendly place. Moreover, knowing this guy would eventually morph into " an angel ", a beautiful butterfly or moth that I would love, I had to let it be where it was.
As for the " skeletons ", I had them trimmed in a way so they could grow back nicely! Hopefully!
Oh goodness, it must have been hungry. Well done on not throwing it far away, and I hope that you get to see the butterfly, or moth, that it turns into too. I also hope that the plant regrows, you'll also have to to keep an eye for caterpillars in the future. Happy gardening. xx
ReplyDeleteMust be.
DeleteI hope so too but don't think I can identify it even if it flies in front of me.
I think the two plants should have regrown by now.
Thanks, Flighty! Happy gardening to you too!
Sayang!
ReplyDeleteThis catterpilar can really chomp on the leaves. When morph into butterfly it will only seek nectar from the flower. Hope the periwinkle will grow back healthyly.
It's forcing me to give the plants a hard prune. Maybe it's good also because they're getting too big for the pot actually.
DeleteLet's hope so, meintheswim! Thanks!
Oh noooo, your poor plants! I couldn't throw it away either! Ahhh the poor cat, I probably would have been stuck with that and the kittens, once things appear in my garden they never, ever leave!!! Like Curly cat.xxx
ReplyDeleteThat caterpillar was too adorable to sent away!
DeleteI do think cats are adorable too but scared to host them. I don't know how to handle creatures as big as that. So, had to shoo it away. But not to worry, it would be safe elsewhere because it looked healthy and well fed when I saw it.
Thinking of you, keep posting even if you can't get to Ipoh.xxx
ReplyDeleteI will, Snowbird, thank you so much for showing your concern! Take care!
DeleteYou too.xxx
ReplyDelete