What pest is this on Oak leaves?

Posts

• Ben C Posts: 19

  May 2021

  I think maybe some kind of gall pest?

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• Fire Posts: 19,096

  May 2021

  The gall creators are usually wasps.
  

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• Lyn Posts: 23,190

  May 2021

  2 separate problems there, Google Oak caterpillars.
  then there’s the Gall, not related.  

  Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 
  
  

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• Dovefromabove Posts: 88,147

  May 2021

  Not pests ... English Native Oaks have evolved to 
   be a rich ecosystem providing homes and sustenance  to over 2,000 types of wildlife 
  
  https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/oak-tree-wildlife/ 

  
  

  Your oak is not at threat from the caterpillars and gall wasps ... enjoy and marvel at the wonderful myriad of life your tree is host to. 
  
  
  

  
  Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Fire Posts: 19,096

  May 2021

  Keep an eye out for processionary oak moth caterpillars - they really are a problem in the south of England - posing a genuine threat to the future of English oak trees. They are hairy and quite distinctive. It's good to report any sightings.
  

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• Lyn Posts: 23,190

  May 2021

  I watched them on the Kew Gardens programme,  they have to resort to spraying to get rid of them. 

  Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 
  
  

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• Fire Posts: 19,096

  May 2021

  Our local parks spray for them too. The caterpillars can do severe damage. Thankfully they are mostly confined to London and the home counties.
  

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