One of the most upsetting pests in a gardener’s psyche is the green looper caterpillar.

A master at camouflage, right from when very small and very young, the caterpillars are bright green with some black dots and white squiggly stripes in strategic places. They are known hide on the underside of leaves and make themselves invisible to humans and predators alike.

These caterpillars are “catholic” in their taste – they eat a seriously wide range of plant species including Coleus, Geranium/Pelargonium, but especially beans, tomatoes, capsicums, frangipani, dahlias, sunflowers and tobacco plants.

Ruud Kleinpaste, also known as The Bugman, is well known as a presenter on the former Palmers Garden Show and Maggie's Garden Show.

He is a Newstalk ZB regular contributor and joined Jack Tame this morning to share his expert advice on dealing with the evasive green looper caterpillar.

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE