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BeneficialOleander caterpillar

Bt (kurstaki) for oleander caterpillar

Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki · microbial insecticide
Against oleander caterpillar

UF/IFAS lists Bt while oleander caterpillars are small, and says it kills only caterpillars and has no toxicity to beneficial insects, so it spares the tachinid flies, stink bugs and parasitic wasps that attack this pest. Pruning out the infested tips is still the first choice. Bt only works on caterpillars that eat treated leaves, so wet both sides of the new shoots. UF treats any insecticide as a last resort, because defoliation looks bad but does not kill oleander.

RateLabel rate — DiPel DF / Magic Gardener Caterpillar Killer DF 1–4 tsp per gallon (label lists oleander moth)
TimingAt the first light-brown, skeletonised shoot tips, while the young caterpillars are still feeding in groups; repeat every 3–14 days depending on rain and new feeding (DiPel label)
macro · bt (kurstaki) on oleander caterpillar
The pestOleander caterpillarSyntomeida epilaisBrown, skeletonised shoot tips, then whole leaves strippedFull pest profile →

Before you order

A bacterium sprayed on leaves. Caterpillars that eat it stop feeding and die within a few days. It works only on the larvae of moths and butterflies, and has little or no effect on bees, lady beetles, lacewings or parasitic wasps. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki profile.

Other controls for oleander caterpillar

Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki against other pests