I'm wondering if I could get some advice or information on a type of caterpillar that is infesting and eating some of my native plants.

It is a speckled green, yellow and drak coloured looper caterpillar with some spots of red in it as well.

It has been particularly attracted to the arge pink eremophila bush I have, but has also spread to a nearby malaeluca and bottlebrush.

They drop to the ground on silk threads when the tree is shaken, but are well camoflagued as well. They seem most active early and late in the day.

What I'm wondering is what caterpillar this is, but also if there are ways to control it/eradicate it from the plants, and if there are certain plants that are susceptable to infestations.

Thanks so much.

We get so many different ones in our garden that I usually go out in the early morn and take them off by hand.
If it gets too bad I spray with Dipel I don't use any chemical based ones.
I have too many little frogs, ladybirds and good insects trying to eat the bad ones and don't want to upset them.

Best of luck Mary-Anne

I've been picking them off by hand in the morning and early evening, and spraying as well. The situation seems to be finally undercontrol, but I've had to chop out the tree that seems to attract the caterpillars more than anything (it was looking very ordinary anyway).

But, a small loss and a learning experience!