Azalea caterpillar

Sweet plant-based bait or light traps are commonly used since azalea caterpillar caters and adults are attracted to these.

The eggs of azalea caterpillar are typically laid on the underside of leaves, particularly favoring deciduous trees like oak and birch. Caterpillars emerge and congregate on the branches and leaves of their host plants for feeding. Searching for the larvae would involve inspecting the leaves for skeletal feeding patterns. Pupae are often found in ground litter or in the soil near the base of the host plant, so one would look amongst detritus or just beneath the soil surface. Adult azalea caterpillar are nocturnal and are drawn to light, so one might scout for them around outdoor lighting or by using light traps set up in areas with plenty of trees, where adults are likely to be flying in search of mates or laying eggs on host plants.

The best time to find azalea caterpillar is during its active hours, which for caterpillars could be during the day when they are feeding, and for adults, usually at dusk or at night when they are most active.

Azalea caterpillar may be more active and easier to spot in mild weather conditions that are neither too hot nor too cold, with high humidity levels often being favorable.