Bougainvilla getting chewed. Help with bug I.D.

[Junebug]

My Bougainvilla is being ravaged by green caterpillar-like somethings. The leaves are either folded and stuck together or rolled and stuck together with a sticky substance. At first I thought it was the return of weevils, but I think only mature weevils attack plant leaves. The damage is centralized to the upper portion of the plant. The leaves on the lower 3' appear unscathed. The worm thing does not look like a looper caterpillar. I don't know what the heck they are but they seem to have appeared out of nowhere and they're hole chewing has caused much damage. When I pulled apart undamaged leaves that were stuck together I found a couple of black dots...don't thing it was poo because there were no chew marks. They might be eggs.

Does anyone know what this is?

[susiep]

Oh yea, mine are chewed up worse than that right now. That happens every year this time. The black stuff is catepillar poop. They eat a LOT and grow fast and move on. Lot more eating this year than usual. Tons of poop staining the driveway, but don't worry, they'll be gone soon.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by susiep

Oh yea, mine are chewed up worse than that right now. That happens every year this time. The black stuff is catepillar poop. They eat a LOT and grow fast and move on. Lot more eating this year than usual. Tons of poop staining the driveway, but don't worry, they'll be gone soon.

Thanks, Susie.

I thought that black stuff might have been eggs because it was stuck in the goo between 2 undamaged leaves.

This is the first time my Bougainvillea has been targeted by worms. I've noticed that last winter's freeze considerably reduced the frog and lizard populations at my house. Probably your's too. Bugs have the advantage this year.