caterpillar on eating my tree

mim · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 10:43 pm Post subject: caterpillar on eating my tree

i have just seen a infestation of little green caterpillars on my beech tree
they are small and green and have like little orange warts down each side of their bodies they have eaten almost all of one branch. they seem to have started on the top of the branch and work their way downwords they are not very hairy. i am very concerned

James Kilkelly · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:08 am Post subject:

Sound like sawfly larvae mim.

Anything like that pictured above?

Have a look at these two posts.....
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about2676.html
and
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about2431.html

If the trees are small enough you can shake the tree and as they fall to the ground sweep them up for your bird table or hens.
Strong watering with a hose will knock a lot off as well.

michael brenock · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:12 am Post subject:

the pest causing the damage is probably the larva of the Winter moth, is serious enough in mild Springs. natural predators are birds and while an insecticidal spray can be useful to control large numbers a mature tree is seldom killed by an attack. Usually the attack is worse when the trees are surrounded by evergreens (Cypress or Spruce).
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

mim

Thank you both for your replys
I knocked some off the tree and had a really good look at them and I am sure that they are indeed sawfly larvae and not caterpillers at all. Its quite a young tree I am going to just pick them all off this afternoon. So panic over.
Many thanks once again
mim