I don't think the bugs flew to Ireland! I was wondering if I could cut my berberis hedge down in Spring as it is too high for me to trim. The hedgetrimmer isn't strong enough to cut down very far. I would need a saw I think but all the leaves would be gone. will it grow back if I do a 'hatchet' job? It was beautiful this year in May and no sign of any caterpillars yet!
Thanks to everyone for comments. My berberis is over 20 yrs old and has been the crowning glory of our garden for all those years untill about 3 years ago. It happens every year now..:-( I too had a major trim last year. Regrew this year but now devestated again. Such a shame. We live on Surrey/Hampshire border. Will try brolly, sheet, cardboard and soapy water next year. Good luck to everyone.
I live in Manchester and have just had to trim my berberis right back and dispose of the caterpillars, does anyone know if the caterpillars are ok for ducks to eat as our two don't seem to be picking them off the lower branches or from the ground?
Richard - recently caught meigenii in Norwich and would like to check on Essex record you mention - can you contact me at tony.irwin"squiggle"btinternet.com Thanks Tony
I'm in Manchester and my purple Berberis just been stripped for the second year running. By the time you see the damage it's too late to stop. Will spraying now help to prevent reinfestation next year? Plant was here when I moved in some 30 yrs ago, so reluctant to dig it up, pink new leaves so pretty, but bare twigs not!!
I found this link by googling "berberis pests" because a couple of mine have been stripped by something. I'm now quite sure it's sawfly caterpillars. I don't use chemical pesticides in this garden, organic for 25 years but I LOVE BT, short for bacillus thurigensis , a bacteria that only kills caterpillars. This must be available in Britain--it works! (couldn't grow crucifers if it didn't!)
I am having the same problem with my Berberis. It is a mature shrub growing over 15 years and I thought it was dying as the foliage in the middle of the shrub has been totally eaten and surrounding foliage is almost bare. Having had a closer look to my dismay I found approx 30 caterpillars eating the foliage. I have sprayed insecticide on them in the hope that they do not come back and the bush survives. I live in the South West and it's the first time this has happened.
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I was wondering if I could cut my berberis hedge down in Spring as it is too high for me to trim. The hedgetrimmer isn't strong enough to cut down very far. I would need a saw I think but all the leaves would be gone. will it grow back if I do a 'hatchet' job? It was beautiful this year in May and no sign of any caterpillars yet!
recently caught meigenii in Norwich and would like to check on Essex record you mention - can you contact me at tony.irwin"squiggle"btinternet.com
Thanks
Tony