Knowledgebase

Pests on my curry plant? #938978

Asked July 12, 2026, 11:35 AM EDT

This is my first year growing a curry plant, and a few days ago I noticed these “sacks” on the plant. Is this a pest that needs removal, or something beneficial? There were two caterpillars on it yesterday, but now they are gone. I don’t want to treat the plant unless it is some sort of pest.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

This is the caterpillar of a Vanessa, a brush-footed butterfly and the sack is likely the shelter they have woven for safety.  If the caterpillars have gone, you may want to snip off the sacks to help your plant thrive.  Keep it watered and delay fertilization.  For more information on curry plants and Vanessa butterflies, see

https://newuseag.rutgers.edu/research/past-projects/curry-plant/
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/48507-Vanessa
Diane M Replied July 12, 2026, 4:33 PM EDT

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