It's raining caterpillar poop!
 

Yesterday we had a big downpour, and today I was checking my orchids (summering outside on my deck) if they're still intact. I was puzzled by the abundance of dark, soggy, little beads in the rail pot where my Neo currently resides. I looked up to check what had my neighbour's overhanging basswood (linden) tree dropped this time and...I was swept by an involuntary- and I'm sure inherent to women- wave of revulsion at the sight of catterpillars completely swarming the branch directly above me. To make a long story short, I dunked my whole orchid in a basin of fresh rainwater to wash off all the droppings, but then I started thinking: maybe it's good to have my orchids pooped on :hmm...
If caterpillar droppings are beneficial (for orchids, of course), please let me know?
First pic makes you realize how much these little guys must eat, and in the second photo I tried to capture the culprits, but it was too windy.

Hallelujah, it's raining caterpillar poop. Amen.

Kinda like sprinkles on ice cream...surely can't hurt!

Dang it, now I have that stupid song running in my head!

Dang that a lot:D It is natural isn't it? Soooo must be beneficial but not sure about the number...I believe in moderation:biggrin: let us know what you decide;)

Lucky the poop wasn't recycled orchids! I had one eat practically the whole, ready to bloom spike on my Spiranthes sinensis. There's one that will never turn into a butterfly.

Dang that a lot:D It is natural isn't it? Soooo must be beneficial but not sure about the number...I believe in moderation:biggrin: let us know what you decide;)

As I always tell people. Atomic power, strychnine, and arsenic are all natural.
Sliced bread, apple pie and computers, not so.

I like to use Ray's Klite at ultra low strength with RO water, and I can't see the point in going to that much trouble only to add dung to the mix.

In addition, such dung contains vegetable fibres that will, if used enough, clog the gaps in the orchid medium, (which should be nice and open) and suffocate the roots.

I was thinking more along the lines of droppings containing toxic byproducts of the caterpllars' metabolism. I guess I watch too much Sci-Fi ;). So most of you seem to agree, that moderate amount of this stuff should be harmless?

It will be harmless until the caterpillar decides your orchids would be tastier.