Don't know what it is

The Fly · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 10:39 am Post subject: Don't know what it is

Last week it was just a clear web.
Today it's full of "Things" whatever they are.
What kind of creature made the web.

Someone will know.
Thanks

michael brenock · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 10:56 am Post subject:

looks like the grubs of tortoiseshell butterfly.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

The Fly · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 12:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks Michael. I'll try and keep an eye on them to see how they turn out.
One learns more every day,even an auld lad like me.

P.S. I got an injection from my doctor last year that made me immune
to "Flykiller" spray. That's why I'm lasting so long.

It's hard to get rid of me.

tippben · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 1:21 pm Post subject:

If that's a spindle tree, Euonymous europaeus, they're ermine moths. Either way, they won't do any real harm. The only butterflies I worry about are large and small whites. Sorry lads, but adults, larvae and eggs get squished on sight. Everything else is welcome.

kindredspirit · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 3:10 pm Post subject:

If you name the tree, it'll help.

They look like Ermine Moth caterpillars to me. When they infest hawthorn hedges they defoliate them under a silken web.

If you pull away the web then birds will pick them off.

kindredspirit · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 3:14 pm Post subject:

The Fly · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 4:40 pm Post subject:

I don't know the name of the young tree. It's about 6 feet high and sowed about 2 years. You might know from the photo.

kindredspirit · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 8:13 pm Post subject:

I'm no expert on trees but it might be a Birch.

If I was you, I'd get rid of those caterpillars double fast because once they start munching, you won't have a leaf left on your tree.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-460276/Caterpillars-cocoons-turn-garden-scene-horror-film.html

walltoall · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject: That tree and them moths

Well spotted KindredSpirit. It's a young silver birch. Remove those caterpillers at once or it's history. Keep it alive and well Fly. It's grows into a beautiful tree with lovely peeling silver bark. We have a ten yo one outside the house and it's a joy. The stem stays brown for maybe the first three years.

http://plants4presents.co.uk/Plants_Available_UK_Delivery.aspx?gsw=birch

michael brenock · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 8:33 pm Post subject:

hope that the fly is not as old as he claims, I thought I was the only "auld one" pre world war 2 hanging around. I always like to learn something new it keeps me going and other peoples problems are my delight in that they pose a challenge.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

The Fly · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 9:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks to all. I'm a wise fly now. It's dark now but I'll be out first thing in the morning with my Fly Killer. Better not get any on myself.

Margo · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 9:19 pm Post subject:

They have had a lot of this in UK. They have had to close playgrounds as they have covered railings and fences surrounding. Some of the closures have been schools and you know the story (health and safety) so the kids have been sent home. However they had an outbreak in Hythe Kent and they were brown hairy caterpillers which when touched caused irritation to the skin so a lot of places got on the band wagon and also closed.

The Fly · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 11:10 am Post subject:

Got up early this morning and removed all caterpillers from the tree.
The web was a very sticky web and not easy to remove. Some of the baskets
had gone out along a branch and were eating the leaves.

Thanks to you all for saving my tree.

kindredspirit · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 1:47 pm Post subject:

You've got nice wet soil there. You should plant some alders to keep your birch company. The leaves of alders constantly move and make a nice noise in the slightest of slight breezes. Cool

The Fly · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 2:00 pm Post subject:

kindredspirit wrote:

You've got nice wet soil there. You should plant some alders to keep your birch company. The leaves of alders constantly move and make a nice noise in the slightest of slight breezes. Cool

The trees are on public property across the road from my house.

If it belonged to me I'd do it.

Thank you Kindredspirit