Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Fig tree pests

becgray1becgray1 Posts: 13
in Problem solving
Something is attacking my potted fig. See pics. At the end of the leaves it makes a white weblike nest curling the end of the leaf over - I’ve tried to brush this off wherever I see it. Any ideas? 
«1

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    It'll be small caterpillars although I can't say which species (likely those of a small moth.)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • enesleneneslen Posts: 1
    We also have these caterpillars, and also take them off with our fingers. But they're having a damaging effect on the tree. Is there anything else we can use to deter them?
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I have these too and am also rubbing them off. This is the second year it's happened. Is there anything to do to break the life cycle?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    They completely wrecked my fig last year but I thought I didn't act quickly enough and determined to wipe them off as I saw them if they returned this year. Which I've been doing but I can't keep up with them and I'm losing the battle. Considering getting rid of the fig 🙁
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • becgray1becgray1 Posts: 13
    I’m wiping every leaf every evening but they come back by next day. If I had a bigger tree I’d give up 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Same here.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • barnardlewisbarnardlewis Posts: 4
    It's my second year with them too. Having to pick them off but even with a small tree is a real chore.

    I removed the fallen leaves over last winter but they still returned. Not sure what the solution is!
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I scraped of all the scale insects, I think so I don't think it's them
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    O Iff you Google it, you end up back on this thread😒
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Observations @barnardlewis @becgray1 @LG_,
    I rubbed them all off this morning. This evening they're back. They start off as tiny hair like green jobs and then into green and yellow caterpillars. If you fumble squashing them, they shoot off like racing snakes and hide in partially open leaf buds. They seem to move too fast for caterpillars .more like sawfly grubs.
    I'm inclined to cut mine down to sticks and dispose of all the leaves and see if it comes back healthy.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
Sign In or Register to comment.