Further update Lots of activity being reported on these critters--many thanks to everyone. But they still have not returned to the hedge in East Dulwich.
My young berberis bush has been well and truly munched as well (I'm in North Somerset). I had a couple of weeks away and out of the garden and came back to utter devastation by caterpillars - not just the berberis, but my gooseberry bush and most of my cabbages and broccoli too! (Obviously by different species). I'm with Jackie O and can't possibly use insecticides but I've learnt for next year to net my veg a bit better and to keep a close eye on the berberis and gooseberry bush for caterpillars, ready to get that umbrella out. There are enough insecticides in this world already...
It's now June 2010 and for the second year running the sawfly pests are in the process of demolishing all berberis shrubs in the neighbourhood. Such a shame.
I have 2 upright berberis as feature plants in my garden - planted about 10 years ago so they are about 2m high. Last year, one day they looked lovely, the next they looked dead. Closer examination revealed literally hundreds of caterpillars - far too many to pick off. So I sprayed the plants, fed, watered and nurtured them and the leaves grew back eventually. I thought it was a one-off, and have checked them regularly this year. All fine - until yesterday, when I noticed lots of bare stems. They're back! So Googled 'berberis' and 'caterpillars' and now know the dreadful truth. I live in Warwickshire.
Well we are not alone. We are in Northamptonshire and for the third year in a row our 15 plant berberis hedge has been decimated by caterpillars. For the first two years we sprayed, but I wasn't happy about it (environmentally speaking). This year I tried a different tack I put up bird boxes to attract predators and the Blue Tits fledged a week before the caterpillars appeared!! I aggressively used 'MiracleGro' since the first buds appeared, followed by several intensive sessions of removing the pests by hand and drying them for the birds. Result-Bare berberis. I'm sorry to say I sprayed in desperation.
My berberis hedge was completely decimated in 2008 and 2009. I noticed that the sawfly were back and awaited the (now) usual result. The lower leaves started to be eaten in small patches, then I noticed a number of small birds showing an interest in my hedge and the damage seems to have have been stemmed. I now have my fingers crossed that my hedge will survive the summer. xx
My berberis hedge was completely decimated in 2008 and 2009. I noticed that the sawfly were back and awaited the (now) usual result. The lower leaves started to be eaten in small patches, then I noticed a number of small birds showing an interest in my hedge and the damage seems to have been stemmed. I now have my fingers crossed that my hedge will survive the summer. xx
We live in West Sussex and from having a lovely berberis on Friday last week we now have some sticks!Certainly will get the umbrella and soapy water out.
Posts
Have a look on gardening websites (http://www.jparkers.co.uk/Index.cfm?fuseaction=category.search&search=berberis) on where to purchase them or ask at a local garden centre.
Lots of activity being reported on these critters--many thanks to everyone. But they still have not returned to the hedge in East Dulwich.
I had a couple of weeks away and out of the garden and came back to utter devastation by caterpillars - not just the berberis, but my gooseberry bush and most of my cabbages and broccoli too! (Obviously by different species).
I'm with Jackie O and can't possibly use insecticides but I've learnt for next year to net my veg a bit better and to keep a close eye on the berberis and gooseberry bush for caterpillars, ready to get that umbrella out.
There are enough insecticides in this world already...