Zone is near the same as mine Caterpillars usually only tear the pods ,, Milkweed Beetles are bad , Large reddish orange Spider Mites are a Terror , The last does terrible damage to seeds and the pods ,,
Chalk or Dimetacious (spelled wrong again , oh well) Earth will kill plant juice sucking insects but even as natural it will also kill caterpillars , clogs their inerds ,.. Water , soap and water removing the invaders with the hand is about the only caterpillar saving option ,
