The other day, Cactus walks in and says there are white caterpillars that have eaten an entire bush by our pond. Now in 15 years I have learned to not react as if the sky is falling because he is quite fond of hyperbole.

When he says there is vomit all over the house because our schnauzer raided the compost pile, that usually means there is a puddle in or near his dog bed. Sometimes two puddles.

When he yells that all the chickens have escaped and are out in the road, that translates to one or two are in the driveway.

Needless to say, I didn’t go running out the door upon hearing a bush had been demolished. But lo and behold, this may have been the one time he was telling the accurate truth.

I have never seen caterpillars like this nor am I even sure they are merely caterpillars. I’ve googled and searched and asked my master gardener friend and still a big mystery.

Have you seen any new or unusual pests in your garden this year? I keep reading about how pests are changing and management practices will need to adapt. But this is the first I’ve encountered.