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Caterpillar infestation in Somerset
deetor
Posts: 2
Help! My chinese twisted willow is for the second time attacked by small green caterpillars. Hundreds of them munching away at the leaves until only the centre vein is left on the whole tree. I originally sprayed with pesticide but they have returned. Anyone know what they are and how do I destroy them?
0
Posts
Can't tell what they are without a picture (and maybe not even then) but I'd try washing most of them off with astrong jet of water from the hosepipe, and in future try attracting bluetits and great tits etc into the tree by hanging birdfeeders with sunflower hearts in the tree early in the spring - get the birds used to coming to that tree for food and they'll spot the caterpillars at an early stage and feed them to their fledgelings.
Spraying with pesticide rarely works in these cases - all it does is kill off the predatory wasps and other insects and then future infestations are even worse. Encourage birds and insects and they will balance things out. The tree will grow more leaves
This site may be of help if you want an ID http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/Insight/?page_id=6589
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I tried washing them off and using Resolva spray which worked for a while and the leaves grew back only for them to return again. I have noticed a couple of black flies around it and am sure there is a link. I read somewhere that this is a summertime problem so hopefully they will go away in September. If it continues I will remove the tree.
Thank you for your advice.