Topic: Heliconia Rhizome Pest Problems

I purchased some heliconia plants and rhizomes from local garden shops and nurseries hoping they would eventually reward me with blooms in the Spring/Summer. A couple months have passed and my plants have been dying off, one by one. The first plant that displayed symptoms of stunted growth was the Yellow Caribaea. A new shoot would break the surface near the older pseudostem and suddenly die. The leaves on the older stem would turn yellow then brown and die off. I decided to uproot the plant to see the damage when I found caterpillar's have been eating away at the rhizome and roots. I have already lost my Red Caribaea, a couple Lobster Claws and maybe my Jacquinii and Sexy Pink plants.

I've attached some pictures. This is from the last Lobster Claw plant I have left.

Hi angrymoon,

The caterpillar pest in your photograph is a larvae of the banana moth (Opogona sacchari). These caterpillars are very destructive to a wide range plant species, causing damage to plant roots, stems and fruits. They can cause death of plant tissues or entire plants.


Adult banana moth (Opogona sacchari)

See two of our articles about banana moth on this site:

Banana Moth as a Pest of Coffee
Banana Moth-A Potentially Fatal Pest of Pritchardia and Other Palms

Sprays of products containing "BT" (Baccillus thurigiensis) can help to control them. In your case, an insecticide drench of the growth medium might be necessary.

I suggest also that you transplant these plants, as when in pots they are stressed and more attractive to attack by the banana moth.

Scot

Thank you Scot. I just consulted with my father about my plant's status and he recommended me to discard the plant if the infestation is bad. An employee at a garden shop told me to give the plant diet pills (I believe that's what he told me) and to add fertilizer. Although, I believe fertilizer wouldn't solve the problem.