Very hungry caterpillars

[RobRainford]

Got called out to look at these. Few rowan species I believe, covered in silk and associated caterpillars, three at the front of the school then another two at the back.

 

Any ideas what they are? My first instinct is silk ermine moth or elephant hawk moth from what I've seen in previous threads but this could be a different species.

 

What's the best way to control/eradicate these? If it's an insecticide, should this be applied at a weekend to avoid contact with people when it's 'fresh'?

[RobArb]

ermine moth 100%

[##ray##]

hia rob

how you doin mate ? they look like the same caterpillar that were on the news , a playground in bradford completely covered in them . these werent supposed to be dangerous in any way but completely desimated a few trees Ermine moth larvae infest Bradford park ,check this out on bbc news:thumbup:

[##ray##]

soz mate ill try again lolhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13451458 try this

[treequip]

ermine moth 100%

 

Yup....

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

as the others said, this is 100% ermine

[Dave D]

you could weave the missus a nice garment with all that silk rob. i've never seen anything like it.

[RobRainford]

There is loads. The small cut tree was done over in 2 days. Then they moved onto the next two trees nearby, both sorbus, and they are both decimated. They flew about 100 yards to another tree on site and that's gone and there's one theyve started on another. There is a little field maple that they seemed to have a go at but has minor damage and no signs of more being done.

 

We've got an idea which chemical to use so it will be dealt with soon

 

Cheers fellas

[treequip]

Ignore it, the caterpillars will disappear and the trees will re foliate and be fine next season.

[RobRainford]

Ignore it, the caterpillars will disappear and the trees will re foliate and be fine next season.

 

Sure? Theres a good chance we will have to be seen doing something as it's on school grounds.

 

It looks like the damage has been done so they will start to pupate and fly to their next meal within the next week by the looks of it. I'll do a bit of reading