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Chocolate birch caterpillars - how to treat

Webber70Webber70 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
a newish birch tree had leaf loss at the top last year and more this year observed after returning from a 5 day trip. Took this photo today of numerous small caterpillars with dots on clustered on leaves. What are they and how to treat advice anyone?

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    they look like Sawfly larvae. Can't help with 'treating' I don't do killing


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would leave them for the birds … they’re vital food for nestlings at this time of year. 

    What I would do is give your tree two buckets full of water at least twice a week between now and the end of August. That way you’ll ensure that your tree is well equipped to counteract this natural challenge by producing a second flush of leaves. 

    Birch are quite shallow rooted trees and we’ve had a dry spring. A few inches below the topsoil the ground is dry as dust in many areas … so extra watering will really help your tree to cope. 

    😊 

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





  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    nutcutlet said:
    they look like Sawfly larvae. Can't help with 'treating' I don't do killing
    I thought sawfly larvae were tiny, apparently they eat my strawberry leaves.

    I don't do killing either.  Ask me how to get rid of a carpet moth infestation.. 😫 I can recommend a car vac which doesn't harm them too. 😉
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