Webbing Caterpillar

[banksia]

Hey Guys!..just wondering if anyone has had this pest visit their benches in the past?. I've only found it on my Callistemon (Little John) but find it very annoying as it hinders the new growth. Doesn't destroy it altogether but definately ses it back somewhat.

Cheers!
Anthony

[anttal63]

Yes it gets all over mine too. i have lots of CC. pull the webs and leaves apart, brush with a soft paint brush, and confidor! Keep in shade for a day after spray repeat 7 to 10 days later if needed. Sometimes i just cut all the end growth off, clean with a brush and then spray.

[shibui]

Yes, webbing caterpillar is a bit of a problem here.
I get it on several melaleucas (mostly fine leaved ones), Leptospermums, some Callistemons and Kunzeas. In the garden it affects eremophilas and Myoporum.
Quite easy to control by squashing webs between fingers or spraying - I usually use Dipel ( Bacillus thuringensis???)

[Roger]

Hi Anthony
Yes, the old webbers are a problem, especially if you are growing leptos, euc, kunzea, callistemons etc.

I just put on gloves, squash the catepillars, then gently but firmly take a hold of the branch behind the webs and pull the whole mass off. It works well and avoids spraying.

Good luck!

[Pup]

High pressure hose has got rid of them for me. No damage to the tree or foilage just the pest. So far no return problems.

Cheers Pup

[MelaQuin]

I keep a watch on my melaleucas, kunzeas and baeckeas. I use Confidor but more often than not hand groom them from the tree. There's a grub that likes the new callistimon shoots but I haven't considered that a webbing caterpillar.

[banksia]

squash the catepillars

...that's just it!, I can't see anything (except webbing) that resembles a grub .

There's a grub that likes the new callistimon shoots but I haven't considered that a webbing caterpillar.

...maybe this is what I'm seeing??
If weather permits, I'll post a pic in the coming days...until then, I'll give the Confidor a go and keep it sheltered afterwards.

Cheers!
Anthony

[Guy]

Is pyrethrum too nasty to use-cos I use it for most pests with good results and wonder if I could use something softer.

[shibui]

Guy, I believe that pyrethrum is considered quite low toxicity and relatively safe to use. Note that PyrethrUM is extracted from pyrethrum daisies and is a natural insecticide but PyrethrOIDs are similar chemicals but synthetic ie made in a factory/ laboratory.
Pyrethrum and other natural pesticides are usually broad spectrum and will affect anything that eats it and may affect the organisms that eat bugs that have eaten it. it will also kill any predatory bugs like ladybirds and preying mantis.

Confidor appears to be more toxic from its labels and warnings but is supposed to be very effective.

Dipel is a brand name for a caterpillar killing insecticide made from a naturally occurring fungus that infects caterpillars. It only kills caterpillars and will not affect any birds, frogs, ladybird, etc which eat affected caterpillars so it is even more safe to use.

Banksia, Several reasons you might miss the grubs: Often by the time you notice they have grown and hatched and gone; Also the grubs are usually very small and may drop out of the web and hide on the soil surface when threatened. Try holding the plant over a sheet of dark paper or a solid surface while you pull out the webs and see if any drop out as you do it.