re: HYB: verbena moth larvae in pods

I may have been wrong in my assumption that they are 
verbena moth larvae.  (Wouldn't be the first time I've 
jumped in too fast, probably won't be the last neither) 

The ones I found are very small, maybe 3/8" long or less 
and white.  I should have taken a picture, but they were 
all smushed before I thought of that.  They do tunnel and 
leave a nasty smelling mushy debris in the pod.  I've never 
seen any green worms in the pods, though I'm seeing a few 
in the ground when I dig, kinda look like inch worms.

Christian, they are definitely not borer larvae, borers are 
much larger more like an inch long and big fat ugly 
things.  (More to squish)

If you do freeze seed, be careful for how long.  I've come 
to the conclusion that freezing may have been the step that 
bought me zero germination last year.  I froze mine for two 
days.   I haven't had the heart to toss them yet, I'm 
hoping that I may get some germination if I overwinter them 
outside. 

I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to try Raid, though I'm 
sure that would do the trick.  I may try and use a syringe 
and squirt soap in there.  Maybe I can convince one of the 
little pests to try out a bee pod so I can test on them 
rather than on a cross I really want.  It's not like they 
eat that many, but I'm greedy, I don't like sharin my 
seeds.  Not if I don't have to.

Thanks everyone!

Robin Shadlow
zone 5

and John, I'm really jealous.  I'm going to have to wait 
another year to count any Louisa's Song seeds.  You'll have 
to tell us about those seedlings as soon as they bloom.  
Should be exciting!



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