What insect is responsible for this damage?

Vetsy
by Vetsy
Is this the work of a mite or a small elusive little devil that I can never see or catch! I have sprayed it this morning with Neem oil and hope that it works...Thank you for your tips and suggestions.
It starts out looking like this..
And continues until there are no leaves left at all!
  10 answers
  • Rhonda B Rhonda B on May 17, 2014
    Looks like sawfly damage, they are tiny green caterpillars-hard to see. Here is a link with some info on control: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05547.html
    • Vetsy Vetsy on May 17, 2014
      @Rhonda Brady "Okay Ronda thank you I try it out!
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on May 18, 2014
    I think Rhonda is correct.
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    • Vetsy Vetsy on May 19, 2014
      @Douglas Hunt lol! I've heard several other gardeners make this pledge as well, I guess it's my turn!
  • Leslie Long Leslie Long on May 19, 2014
    So glad to see you using NEEM! I just love it :)
    • Vetsy Vetsy on May 19, 2014
      @Leslie Long Thanks what have you used it on? I loved to know how it has helped you...
  • Leslie Long Leslie Long on May 20, 2014
    Vetsy, it is my first choice for everything. I used to use insecticidal soap but it is just an insecticide. When I found NEEM, a 3-in1 insecticide, miticide, and fungicide, I loved it. It is sometimes hard to tell if it's a bug or a fungus so using NEEM takes care of either one. I even use it as a preventative once a week on all my veggies and herbs. It is organic and you can use it up to the day of harvest - washing before you eat. I also have to use it weekly on my hibiscus and desert rose or aphids will come overnight and decimate my plants. My fav brand is by Southern Ag and one $9 bottle makes 8 gallons so it's very economical too :)
    • See 1 previous
    • Leslie Long Leslie Long on May 20, 2014
      @Vetsy Yes it smells sort of like compost or worm tea for a couple of days but then it's all good. The best thing I love about it is that it will not harm the beneficial insects like bees or butterflies. :)
  • Glenda D Glenda D on May 23, 2014
    That looks ;like the leaves on my poor morning glories. It's caterpillars. The brown moth and I can't remember the name lays the eggs and they hatch into caterpillars, they are green and hard to see. I also have them in certain types or Geraniums and they eat the buds before they flower. I try and pick them off but not much luck. What is NEEM.? What is in it? Thank You.
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    • Leslie Long Leslie Long on May 23, 2014
      @Vetsy Yes Vetsy. I have tried several brands and I always come back to this one. It works very well for me and is inexpensive.
  • Glenda D Glenda D on May 25, 2014
    Maybe I will try it. I did not want to resort to chemical warfare with the bugs but they are winning so I guess if I want to have morning glories and geraniums then I will have to. Thanks Leslie.
  • Glenda D Glenda D on May 25, 2014
    Thank you Vetsy that makes me feel better. I better get to home depot and get some my poor plants need so much relief from the bugs.
  • Glenda D Glenda D on May 25, 2014
    Thanks to both of you for your help. My morning glories say thanks too :) You know ladies this just might help my poor woodland violets. Something is attacking them too. The leaves roll up very tightly and when I break open the roll I can't see anything. I am slowly losing them all. They were my Mother's favorite plant. She would be so sad to see that most of them are gone. I hope NEEM can help them. It will be worth a try anyway.
    • Vetsy Vetsy on May 25, 2014
      @Glenda D 'Oh my! Not everything! It must be extremely frustrating! I hope the Neem works for you too... I'm still treating and watching for my roses I had to back off a little, I was going a little crazy with it....spraying the leaves every morning! Than I noticed the leaves turning yellow..So I stopped for a minute..lol!
  • Carl Carl on Jun 06, 2014
    Leaf Miners...
    • Vetsy Vetsy on Jun 07, 2014
      @Carl Thank you for your input... I'll look those up..
  • Karen P Karen P on Aug 10, 2014
    When using NEEM oil, do take care and use wisely. Our bees are extremely sensitive to NEEM. Spray it very early in AM when there is no breeze, is what I was taught some years back.
    • Vetsy Vetsy on Aug 17, 2014
      Thank you Karen P... for sharing that info, I had no idea about the bees.....