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Please can someone tell me what this is...its on my new hawthorn hedge thanks

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  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Whatever it is, it doesn't look at all good. There is something really nasty called 'oak processionary moth' around which I believes covers hedges in white cobwebs, but I'm not sure this is it - perhaps have a google?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • geraldinemwoodsgeraldinemwoods Posts: 4
    I have tried googling but couldn't find anything similar. Its very sticky and doesn't appear to have any eggs or larvae in each little cluster. I've gardened for years but never seen anything like this before, but we've never had a hawthorn hedge before, so it could be connected.

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Hi Geraldine, I've just googled on the OakPM and you're right it doesn't look like it. I've seen hedges twice in the last few years absolutely festooned in white cobwebs, one on the A46 near Cicencester and one actually in Bath where we live. Never did find out what it was though. Hopefully someone on the forum will. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I can't quite see clearly, but it may well be scale insect larvae on the move.
    Most of the year they look like tiny limpets attached to branches but at some stage they hatch or move or something - I can't quite recall.
    Under the 'shell' is a tiny fluffy bit

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • geraldinemwoodsgeraldinemwoods Posts: 4
    Hi Lizzie I have seen that before its pretty impressive. I think that is the Ermine moth caterpiller's work. No this one is very different. Thanks for your advice and as you say maybe someone else will know what it is.
  • geraldinemwoodsgeraldinemwoods Posts: 4
    Hi Pete I think that's it. the hawthorn hedge is growing under a Canadian maple so I think they have come from there. Thanks a lot.

  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    edited May 2020
    It looks like woolly vine scale insect.

    https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/woolly-vine-scale-insect
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Sometimes it's just a branch or two, if so I'd just cut them off before they find new homes. Or you could scrub them off gently with a drop of detergent in water
    Hawthorn is one of my faves

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks @Pete.8 for clearing that up - it's been annoying me all evening that I couldn't identify it.
    @geraldinemwoods, Thanks for the mention of the ermine moth, I'll look that up. I'm glad the guys were able to identify the pest for you.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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