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Identifying pests!

debbiequeendebbiequeen Posts: 1
in Problem solving
I came across a large group of caterpillars this morning that had had a very eventful night munching half of a newish tree, I am having trouble identifying them. Can anyone help?

Posts

  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    I don't think they are technically caterpillars, just something that looks a lot like one!

    Sawfly larvae Craesus septentrionalis

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craesus_septentrionalis

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    They're sawfly larvae rather than moth or butterfly caterpillars. They tend to be fairly host specific so check what the tree was and it will give you a good idea of the sawfly species if you want to go into that detail. Probably Hazel sawfly though.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    wild edges said:
    They're sawfly larvae rather than moth or butterfly caterpillars. They tend to be fairly host specific so check what the tree was and it will give you a good idea of the sawfly species if you want to go into that detail. Probably Hazel sawfly though.
    I'd call it as Birch sawfly, but I'm no entomologist, sure it is the sort thing they discuss at great length.  :) 

    Now wondering how to tell the difference other than the host plant.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I think it's Poplar sawfly, Cladius grandis:



    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    GemmaJF said:
    wild edges said:
    They're sawfly larvae rather than moth or butterfly caterpillars. They tend to be fairly host specific so check what the tree was and it will give you a good idea of the sawfly species if you want to go into that detail. Probably Hazel sawfly though.
    I'd call it as Birch sawfly, but I'm no entomologist, sure it is the sort thing they discuss at great length.  :) 

    Now wondering how to tell the difference other than the host plant.
    It looks like Hazel sawfly might be a misnomer so I think you're correct. Not hairy enough to be a Poplar sawfly though.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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