Troup County Residents Warned About Dodder and Azalea Caterpillars

Parasitic weeds and azalea caterpillars are causing concern in Troup County, Georgia. Randy Drinkard, an Assistant for Troup County Extension, has identified dodder as a parasitic weed that infects various plant species. Dodder is a rootless, leafless plant that attaches itself to host plants using a food-absorbing peg called a haustoria.

The stem color of dodder can range from yellow to orange, and it produces small white or pink flowers in clusters. It has been found infecting plants in the Aster family, such as chrysanthemums and sunflowers, as well as azaleas and rhododendrons. Control methods include removing infected plants before they produce seed, using preemergent herbicides, and soil sterilization.

Azalea caterpillars are large, with red heads and legs, and rows of yellow spots on their bodies. If only a few are present, it's recommended to pick them off and crush them. However, if large numbers are present, an insecticide such as Sevin or cyfluthrin can be used.