The month of June, schools out, summer vacation time and temperatures of 110 +. The last thing we need is “huge worms” in our house! Do you or your next door neighbors have Mexican Fan Palm trees? If so, you have probably seen these “huge worms.” It is actually a caterpillar. The Palm Budworm’s body is cream colored with a pink blush on it’s back.
Palm Flower Caterpillars — Palm Budworms
The adult stage of this insect is a tan moth with two black eyes on each hind wing. The 1-2 inch larva feeds on the flowers of Mexican Fan palms. While the injury is not serious, it may predispose the tree to infection by palm bud rot.
Palm flower caterpillars are not noticeable until the palm flower stalks dry out in June. High winds (our monsoons) knock many of the larva off of the fruitwood. The maturing larvae then drop to the ground beneath the tree. At this time they may become a litter nuisance in the landscape or buildings where many times they migrate in search of shelter. They are harmless and don’t cause any damage in our homes.
Treatment:
Make sure weather-stripping around doors is in good condition. Remove flower stalks from the palm tree before they are fully expanded. Contact a Cooperative Extension office, if necessary, for chemical control recommendations.