English Elm - Caterpillars

Webos · Post by **Webos** » February 14th, 2010, 9:04 pm

Hi Guys,
My English Elms are taking a beating from tiny little caterpillars eating the leaves. They are slowing the growth of the trees immensely and the trees look ragged. I've noticed that they particularly seem to like lower, weaker branches on the trees. I think they have even been eating the Zelkovas as well.

Anyone out there had the same problem? What did you do to treat the problem?

Thanks

Mojo Moyogi · Post by **Mojo Moyogi** » February 14th, 2010, 11:03 pm

Hi Webos, Yates Dipel is an organic product that works well see here:http://www.yates.com.au/products/organi ... ler-dipel/

Cheers
Mojo Moyogi

anttal63 · Post by **anttal63** » February 15th, 2010, 6:38 am

Webos wrote:Hi Guys,
My English Elms are taking a beating from tiny little caterpillars eating the leaves. They are slowing the growth of the trees immensely and the trees look ragged. I've noticed that they particularly seem to like lower, weaker branches on the trees. I think they have even been eating the Zelkovas as well.

Anyone out there had the same problem? What did you do to treat the problem?

Thanks

Are they little black hairy ones??? Elm grub??? Confidor.

Webos · Post by **Webos** » February 15th, 2010, 5:25 pm

Thanks a lot guys.. I have some confidor so I'll start with that. If it doesnt work, then I'll go out and look for Mojo's recommendation.

Ant, the caterpillars are a dark greeny/brown and destructive

Woz · Post by **Woz** » February 15th, 2010, 5:50 pm

Webos, you can try this one it's my grandma's...

CATERPILLARS & OTHER CHEWERS
Control by spraying plants with molasses spray. Makes plants distasteful to chewers. The only thing that beats grasshoppers is fine net!

Molasses Spray
1 tblspn molasses to 1 litre warm water and a few drops of soft soap.

Waltron · Post by **Waltron** » February 15th, 2010, 7:17 pm

I thought I read somewhere that Elms and Confidor don't mix, can anyone confirm/deny this? My English elm has been eaten alive all summer, I have Confidor but have been too scared to use it.

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » February 15th, 2010, 7:35 pm

i know chinese elm dont like pesticides etc. at all

as for english elm i couldnt be certain but until it is confirmed i would wait, i know your tree is getting defoliated un intentionally by these buggers, if i was to try anything i would go with the molasses spray and see how that works, it seems more natural then any chemical.

jamie

Waltron · Post by **Waltron** » February 15th, 2010, 7:47 pm

Jamie wrote:i know chinese elm dont like pesticides etc. at all

Oh crap! Just this afternoon I drenched my Chinese Elm in Natrasoap - and I mean drenched!

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » February 15th, 2010, 7:57 pm

natrasoap may be an exception but i cannot be a hundred percent positive

i would google if it is safe for chinese elm or someone might have personal experience with it.

jamie

Mojo Moyogi · Post by **Mojo Moyogi** » February 15th, 2010, 8:40 pm

Elms don't like systemics, confidor is a systemic insecticide.

Mojo Moyogi

AusBonsai

English Elm - Caterpillars

English Elm - Caterpillars

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Re: English Elm - Caterpillars

Re: English Elm - Caterpillars

Re: English Elm - Caterpillars

Re: English Elm - Caterpillars

Re: English Elm - Caterpillars

Re: English Elm - Caterpillars

Re: English Elm - Caterpillars