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Caterpillars and my shrubs

Last post 03-05-2013 1:00 AM by Ian. 2 replies.

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  • 18/09/2012 12:26 PM
    • Ian
    • Sheffield
    • 02 Sep 2011
    • 73
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     I'm a novice gardener and started a new garden last year. This year I've had a terrible problem with caterpillars eating my shrubs that I didn't have in the first year, presumably because there's an abundant amount of new growth this year.

    The plants in question are a Spirea (Cinerea Grefsheim), a Choisya (x dewitteana Aztec pearl), and a Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). My Escallonia and Viburnum shrubs are unaffected.

     I've been removing them by hand and have occasionally sprayed them with an approppriate bug spray but it hasn't eradicated the problem. When found the caterpillars are betweeen 4-6mm long, thin and bright green. I assume they are moth caterpillars as they are plentiful in my garden.

    The fold themselves into the topmost growth at the tip of new shoots and devour them as they emerge. I'd be grateful if anyone can advise me as to the best course of action, if there is anything I can do that I haven't already.

     
  • 03/05/2013 12:32 AM
    In reply to
    • GROWMORE
    • London
    • 12 Aug 2012
    • 93
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    Most strange.  Some of the attacked subjects.  Usually these have been left alone.

    Capturea few of these beggars. Send them off to Andrew Halstaed at WISLEY GARDENS.

    Growmore.
  • 03/05/2013 01:00 AM
    In reply to
    • Ian
    • Sheffield
    • 02 Sep 2011
    • 73
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     Many thanks for your reply.So far this year I haven't seen a repeat of the problem, bar one large bbright green caterpillar on the Spirea. However, it's early days and I'll certainly take up your advice should the problemssurface again. I wasn't aware of this possibility until you told me.