leaf eating worms - advice please

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bouquet
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leaf eating worms - advice please

Post by bouquet »

Hi all
I have noticed these leaf eating worms recently and was looking for some advice on how to get rid of them.

I have tried confidor. But they still seem to be there.

Here's a photo. Thanks in advance for any advice.
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xIIRevoEvoS
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Re: leaf eating worms - advice please

Post by xIIRevoEvoS »

If I'm correct they are moth catepillars. I have them on my elm/trident maple and they are hard to spot when you aren't inspected the health of the tree.
I think you could use confidor or naturasoap sprays to get rid of them. However I would leave this advice to others with more experience. Might be good to the tree to get rid of bugs or bad since it can destroy your foliage
Kind Regards
Allen
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Re: leaf eating worms - advice please

Post by shibui »

They are called looper caterpillars because of the way they walk. I'm surprised that the confidor has not worked. How long since you sprayed? Pesticides gradually fade away so if new caterpillars come in a week or so later there may not be enough chemical left to kill them.

For caterpillars I prefer to use 'Dipel'. It is a fungus that only attacks caterpillars so is safe for all other animals. Again it only lasts for a short time before it gets washed off the leaves so you may have to spray regularly to keep these caterpillars at bay.
Last edited by shibui on March 29th, 2015, 3:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Isitangus
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Re: leaf eating worms - advice please

Post by Isitangus »

I have had those and they can quickly defoliate maples especially. I usually take great pleasure in removing them and feeding them to the birds,


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xIIRevoEvoS
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Re: leaf eating worms - advice please

Post by xIIRevoEvoS »

Isitangus wrote:I have had those and they can quickly defoliate maples especially. I usually take great pleasure in removing them and feeding them to the birds,


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:lol:
Kind Regards
Allen
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