Most feeding is done at night. Handpick and destroy worm. Or, apply Sevin garden dust. Also called plant lice, there are numerous species. They suck sap from stems, leaves and buds of virtually every type of garden plant leaving curled, withered leaves and deformed flowers.
Aphids also produce a sticky substance called honeydew, which encourages fungus and attracts ants.
Or, spray with malathion, diazinon, or plain, soapy water. Prune away infected shoots. A major pest in the Bay Area, these white larvae feed beneath the bark of stone fruit trees. Trees may be completely girdled. Productivity is reduced and trees are susceptible to disease.