Olena Help!

[Mamu]

I know you have been reading up on butterflies.

I have some red and yellow twig dogwoods every year they are a problem with bugs. This year I have snow white caterpillars on them. Before I spray are they some kind of butterfly caterpillers, or just another plant eating pest.

 

[olena]

Oh my!

Is it a webworm? Is it really hairy? It's a little late for most caterpillars.

Try this! Go to this website and see if you recobnize your caterpillar in the line-up. Once you identify it, there is a profile that should give you an idea about how much of a pest it is.

Good luck!

 

[marydmjj]

Awesome link. Thanks!!!

 

[olena]

You know...I've been wondering. I doubt your 'caterpillar' is listed on that site. So I did some searches on dogwood pests and I think I know what your pest is. It sounds like a Dogwood Sawfly. The caterpillar is yellow on the bottom with white, waxy strands on top that make it look fuzzy. They look like a little piece of packing styrofoam.

They eat foliage on the tree, but since it's so late in the season, it doesn't really harm the tree. However, when these things crawl away to pupate, they prefer rotting wood, but they've been known to burrow into wood siding on homes. Not good. If these indeed are sawflies, the best time to control them is now, especially if the dogwoods are close to your house.

From what I've read about the Dogwood Sawfly, it sounds like what you have. Double-check and do a search and verify for yourself. I don't think they become a butterfly.

 

[olena]

I forgot to mention that regular pesticides should work, but you should ask at your garden center, etc. Treating this problem will also help with other bug problems. Good luck...

 

[Snowwark]

A caterpillar line-up, I love it!!

Olena, our super sleuth of the slimy and squiggly....

 

[Mamu]

Thanks you Olena. I will spray today. Sounds like just another pest. Because the caterpillars were so large I thought they were some kind of butterfly. I could put them in a jar for the "Bug Girls" Two of my Granddaughters spend their day collecting bugs. How excited they would be to get white caterpillars with tiny black eyes.

I think these shrubs are out of here. They have become more work then I planned. When something doesn't meet your expectations and they are constantly being attacked by some bug it time to go.

They are close to the road and in a area that is going to be redone. If and when the tree guy ever get here. I have 3 massive pines that are being removed (someday) I'm about ready to call a new tree removal service, but this guy is removing all three for under $2,000. Some of the other estimates were around $3,500. By the time they finish removing the trees and grinding out the stumps the front will be in such a state. I will be planting 1 new tree, in place of the three. Trying to make plans on what to grow in this new SUNNY area. Oh the possibilies.

 

[olena]

Starting over?

I'm seriously thinking about getting some cedars pulled.

 

[Snowwark]

Mamu, that sounds like a ton of work! Maybe you should speak to Alex about who they used to clear their trees and brush?