Cobweb Tree

[Bald Ed]

Probably a simple question to you tree guys but I'm just curious, What type of caterpillar are these and did they kill the tree or do they target dead trees:confused1:

 

[David Humphries]

I would imagine its Possibly the silk nests of the caterpillars of the Ermine moth

 

What species is the food source?

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[treequip]

Yup that looks like Ermine moth alright.

 

Targeting dead trees would be folly because there would be nothing to eat.

 

That tree isn't dead but the caterpillars have eaten all the foliage making it look that way.

 

Most trees recover although it is a kicking for that season.

[Bald Ed]

Cheers for the info, have had a look on the interweb at images of the Ermine moth, looks like they can do some damage!!!!!!!!

[sandspider]

Did you see the spiders in the trees during the floods in Pakistan a while back?

 

[MATTMOSS]

Is the tree a Prunus padus by any chance?

 

If so the caterpillar will be Yponomeuta evonymella = bird cherry ermine moth, repeated defoliations will damage the tree.

 

quite fascinating at first, quickly becoming a nuisance

[Gary Prentice]

Is the tree a Prunus padus by any chance?

 

If so the caterpillar will be Yponomeuta evonymella = bird cherry ermine moth, repeated defoliations will damage the tree.

 

quite fascinating at first, quickly becoming a nuisance

 

Our local TO wrote such an excellent article on this moth, that the local paper published his phone number for members of the public to report more sightings.:lol: