Rewilding My Lot

I have to be constantly watchful for Genista Broom Moth caterpillars on my small Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) tree. These caterpillars are immune to the toxin that this tree produces, so they have little competition.

Unfortunately, while I was recently away for ten days, there was a significant infestation that destroyed all this tree’s new growth.

However, as trees do, this Texas Mountain Laurel is putting out new growth again. Once I cleared the last infestation, since then I have seen only two tiny caterpillars and they were rapidly dispatched (i.e., flung to another part of the garden).